Preventing and Responding to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Ethiopia

The project aims to advance the empowerment of women and girls by preventing and responding to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Ethiopia. The project includes activities to support women and girls in reaching their full potential and meeting their sexual and reproductive health needs free from violence harmful traditional practices exploitation and discrimination. Project activities include: (1) increasing awareness on SGBV including harmful traditional practices as well as on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) with communities local authorities vulnerable households and change agents such as traditional leaders; (2) training psycho-social counsellors and health personnel including government health workers on gender-responsive SGBV services; (3) establishing or strengthening model clinics safe houses and one-stop centres to provide comprehensive and integrated services on SGBV and SRHR; and (4) training and technical support to improve the implementation of relevant legal and policy frameworks around SGBV and SRHR for instance for law enforcement bodies. The project focuses on 8 regions across Ethiopia targeting 14 million people.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) decreased harmful practices and attitudes that perpetuate and validate sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) against women and girls within targeted households and communities; (2) increased access by women and girls to gender-responsive SGBV services free of discrimination; and (3) increased Ethiopian institutional capacity to develop and implement legal and policy frameworks that promote and protect women’s and girl’s rights with regards to SGBV.