Ethiopia

One-third of married women in Ethiopia, experiences spousal violence and the average age of first marriage for women is 17 years old. 

This project aims at tackling especially violence against women and harmful practices such as child marriages, and it focuses on two woredas (districts), Raya Azebo and Semen Bench, where these practices are particularly deep-rooted, and where ActionAid is present since several years.

On the one hand, through this project we promote dialogue and sensitization through public meetings, campaigns and awareness sessions. The project addresses the community, so that women themselves, men,  local leaders and prominent social figures become aware of the negative physical, mental and social effects of  violence and harmful practices.

We expect to reach at least 10,000 people, including local leaders.

On the other hand, we help to improve responsiveness of local and national actors to help tackling violence against women and child marriages incidents. We do that by helping to improve referral mechanisms and by increasing the knowledge and capacity of at least 300 duty officers to deal in a timely way with reporting and managing cases, for example training paralegals.

We also help women to access economic opportunities to help them gain independence.

This one year project is part of a long-term engagement in the target area and what we need to make this possible is 250.000 CHF.

 Are you interested in this project? Contact us to learn more.