Challenges of young women in Ethiopia and efforts to address those challenges The case of YWCA of Ethiopia By Melat Tekletsadik
Jan 13, 2015
Challenges of young women in Ethiopia and efforts to address those challenges
The case of YWCA of Ethiopia
By Melat Tekletsadik
Presentation outline
General backgrounds Challenges faced by young women Efforts to address problems (the case of
YWCA of Ethiopia) Get involved
General
Youth constitute a high proportion of the Ethiopian population, over 72% of the Ethiopian population is under the age of 29(EDHS).
Insufficient attention given to addressing youth issues, left youth out of being active participants and beneficiaries of the economic, social and cultural endeavors of the country.
General
young women in Ethiopia faced with extreme situations, as is in any sub Saharan countries, such as – unequal educational opportunities– harmful traditional practices, victims of gender
based violence– Poverty and unemployment, – reproductive health problems including HIV/AIDS,
Challenges: unequal educational opportunities and high drop out rate
Outcome of gender inequity and inequality, parents, community preference to send boys to schools than girls
Household chores burdened, poor academic performance
Gender based violence in schools
Challenges: Harmful traditional practices
Early marriage, a common practice in rural Ethiopia, where girls between the ages of 15 and 19 is already married before the girl is physically, physiologically and psychologically ready to shoulder the responsibilities of marriage and child bearing
Results are early departure from school Complications from early marriage leading to
early pregnancy , fistula
Challenges: Harmful traditional practices
Marriage by abduction Female gentile cutting
Challenges: Reproductive Health
Lack of access to accurate information and services to reproductive health (Adolescent youth between the age 10-17, a time where youth become inquisitive and curious with matters related with their sexuality, and are made vulnerable to exhibiting risky behaviors.
Lack of open discussions on sexuality issues that are considered taboo among themselves than boys do. Even if they do, they receive inadequate and inaccurate information from their peers
Challenges: Reproductive Health
Insufficient safe space for girls to brain storm and vent on sexuality issues
Poverty and gender inequality exacerbate young women’s vulnerability
Challenges: Poverty
Lack of marketable and entrepreneurs skills for employment or self employment
Efforts to address the challengesThe YWCA of Ethiopia’s case
History: One of the oldest women led organizations in
the world established in 1855 in Great Britain, presently in 120 countries around the world .
YWCA of Ethiopia found in 1961, and attained its membership status with the world YWCA in 1963.
History continued …
Provided services responding to the economic and social challenges of women and girls at that time until its closure by communist regime in 1976
Reestablished in 2001, with the objective of enhancing the socio economic status of women and girls through programmatic focuses of Economic Empowerment, Reproductive health and girls education, and leadership development of young girls
Efforts to address the challengesThe YWCA of Ethiopia’s case
Economic Empowerment Programs
Economic Empowerment ProgramsSkills training : Cooking classes
Economic EmpowermentSkills training: Dress making
Economic Empowerment Basic Business skills training for women in
Business
Economic Empowerment Basic Business skills training for women in
Business
Economic Empowerment Women in self help Group Approach (SHG)
Economic Empowerment Women in self help Group Approach (SHG)
Economic Empowerment Women in self help Group Approach (SHG)
Reproductive Health including HIV/AIDS and girls Education
Programs in Higher Learning Institutes
Reproductive Health including HIV/AIDS and girls Education
Capacity building trainings: RH, GBV, Leadership
Reproductive Health including HIV/AIDS and girls Education
HIV/AIDS training, peer education and community outreach programs
HIV/AIDS training, peer education and community outreach programs
HIV/AIDS training, peer education and community outreach programs
HIV/AIDS programsProviding safe spaces for girls: YWCA girls
football team
HIV/AIDS programsProviding safe spaces for girls: YWCA
library and computer literacy programs
HIV/AIDS programs: Orphans and Vulnerable children support
HIV/AIDS programs: Orphans and Vulnerable children support
Youth leadership DevelopmentSummer Volunteers Programs
Youth leadership DevelopmentSummer Volunteers Programs
Youth leadership DevelopmentSummer Volunteers Programs
Get involved
Support initiatives of organizations working towards alleviating the challenges of young women and girls in Ethiopia
How? Learn about what current initiatives are being
undertaken to solve community issues Educate your friends, your family members, stay
connected Become a member of organizations to support their
initiatives
Get involved
Volunteer your skills and expertise Adopt a positive attitude that your contributions will
make a difference
Thank you