melat challenges of young women in ethiopia

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