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Ethiopia

Articles by Ethiopia

FON in NY
15 March 2024

FON Parallel Event at CSW68: Advancing Gender Equality Through Feminist Financing

By Alejandra Garcia In the bustling halls of the CSW68, amidst discussions on global issues and women's rights, the FON Project carved out a space to spotlight an essential aspect of Advancing Equality: Financing with Feminist Approaches. This parallel event gathered a distinguished panel featuring voices from diverse backgrounds, each offering unique perspectives on the crucial role of feminist funding in promoting gender equality worldwide.  Carolina Calle, a sex worker and human rights defender from Colombia, shared her experiences alongside Shelani Palihawadana, Program Director at Youth Advocacy Network Sri Lanka, Tori Chakma representing Supporting People and Rebuilding Communities in Bangladesh, Mar Merita Blat, Head of Mission Gender at the French Development Agency (AFD), and Marie Josiane Tra Lou, from Initiative Tile in Cote d’Ivoire. Guiding the conversation was Aminata Ba, FON Project Manager from IPPF. The panel's discussions delved into the heart of the matter, highlighting the indispensable role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in economically empowering survivors of gender-based violence, particularly in the Global South. At the core of the discourse was the transformative power of feminist funding and its impact on advancing gender equality on a global scale.  Key insights emerged from the dynamic exchange, emphasizing the urgent need for direct support to feminist movements, especially in regions with fewer resources. The importance of funding dedicated explicitly to women's rights and feminist organizations was underscored, alongside the advocacy for flexible, multi-year grants that offer core support. Such funding mechanisms empower organizations to allocate resources based on their priorities, fostering sustainability and autonomy.  Moreover, the panel shed light on the significance of recognizing and supporting small, informal community groups. Bridging the funding gap and enabling mid-sized women's groups to access more substantial resources emerged as critical strategies for amplifying the impact of feminist funding initiatives. Calls for the decolonization of funding practices, feminist accountability, and a transformation of power dynamics within funding structures resonated throughout the discussions. As the event concluded, participants reflected on actionable recommendations for governments to enhance fiscal regulations supporting medium and informal feminist organizations. The collective commitment to advancing gender equality through feminist financing approaches was palpable, igniting a sense of hope and determination among attendees.  In closing, the FON Project's event at CSW68 serves as a beacon of inspiration for all stakeholders invested in gender equality. Through collaborative efforts and a steadfast dedication to feminist principles in financing, meaningful change can be realized, empowering the feminist movement worldwide. Together, let us continue to strive for a more equitable and just future for all.   

Ethiopia
21 August 2023

One Less Burden for Meaza

World Humanitarian Day is marked every year on the 19th of August honouring the humanitarian workers and organisations while underscoring the importance of providing assistance and support to people in crisis.   The IPPF-led WISH2ACTION programme sought to scale up integrated sexual and reproductive health services to key populations including the poor, youth under 20, people with disabilities, and those in humanitarian settings when it started at the end of 2018. In its current phase, the programme is implemented in Burundi, Ethiopia, Malawi, Madagascar, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. This includes providing sexual and reproductive health services within conflict areas in Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan. The provision of services in humanitarian settings comes with its own set of challenges but heart-wrenching stories such as Meaza’s remind us of the importance of leaving no one behind. Meaza Hailu, is a 33-year-old married woman who resided with her husband and three children in Kafta Humora in Western Tigray until November 2020 when war broke out. Her family was attacked one night in their home by the armed militia who killed her eldest son. They were expelled from their home and fled to the Mekelle settlement and now reside in an IDP camp. “Before we were expelled from our homes, we had a decent home and were self-sufficient in every way. Currently, my life is completely devastated after witnessing the killing of my son and my relatives at the hands of armed local militia. Now, we have lost everything we had and find ourselves seeking shelter in an empty settlement in Mekelle. Our survival depends solely on aid agencies and the local host communities. Unfortunately, we have not received any food assistance for several months, and we are suffering severely from starvation, physical ailments, and stress. Both my children and I find it hard to fall asleep since we witnessed the murder of my son” she said. The WISH2ACTION programme has mobile health teams that visit IDP camps in the Tigray region raising awareness of sexual and reproductive health and rights and providing sexual and reproductive health services including contraception, post-abortion care, antenatal care, and care for survivors of sexual gender-based violence (SGBV). Overburdened by her hardships and traumatised by her experience, Meaza does not want to have another child at this time. “Due to the hardships, we are facing, I cannot afford to have another child in the near term. Additionally, I do not plan to have another child until we can return to our home and resume a normal life. That is why I visited several public facilities, including Mekelle General Hospital, in search of contraception services, but without success.” Meaza had visited several public facilities in Mekelle seeking contraceptive services, but commodities were unavailable. “Recently, I went to Mekelle Hospital, seeking contraceptive services. The providers there told me to wait until the WISH2ACTION mobile SRH team visited my IDP site. I waited for the team for one week, hoping to finally access the family planning service I had been seeking for a long time." On May 16, 2023, the programme mobile health team visited the Hatsey Yohannes IDP site in Mekelle. Meaza attended the outreach. She received counselling and opted for a three-year contraceptive implant. After the service, she expressed her gratitude to the team, “Now, you have relieved a tremendous burden for me, and I am truly grateful to the WISH staff.” Feven Nigussie, an outreach service provider, emphasized the significance of their work, stating “Majority of our clients are displaced and host community women and girls. We regularly attend to different SRH-related cases such as SGBV survivors, women, and girls seeking post-abortion care for unintended pregnancies and contraceptive services to prevent pregnancies, etc. The programme is contributing to a reduction in maternal mortality and morbidity related to complications of unsafe abortions, and SGBV.” Meaza is representative of the millions of people in need of assistance in humanitarian settings across the globe. Today should stand as a reminder that we should all advocate for those in need and work towards a more compassionate and just world.

FON family photo
16 March 2023

Feminist Opportunities Now: Empowering Feminist Organizations Around the World

Feminist Opportunities Now (FON) is a programme that aims to build capacity of feminist organisations via subgrants to enhance more diverse and resilience Civil Society Organisations when addressing and responding to gender-based violence, inequalities, discrimination and other human rights violations related to gender. International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) is the FON consortium lead, with the other consortium partners being Médecins du Monde (MdM-FR), Creating Resources for Empowerment and Action Inc. (CREA), the International Federation on Human Rights (FIDH) and Empow’Her (EH). The programme is funded by the French Government via the French Development Agency (AFD). The action of the consortium's member organizations is based on feminist principles, a deep commitment to the promotion of human rights and the fight against inequalities and discrimination, especially against women and girls. They have a long experience of the themes of the programme mandates and complementary expertise that underpin the robustness of the holistic approach of the programme.   The Challenge  Gender inequalities on a global scale affect half of the world's population. Gender inequality is one of the main obstacles to human development. The FON Programme seeks to address such inequalities. Some of the challenges leading to these inequalities include: Lack of and/or effective implementation of comprehensive laws, policies, legal instruments to address gender inequalities worldwide, leading to increased gender inequalities. Lack of or limited implementation of the frameworks, which widens inequalities and aggravate the precariousness of women and girls- particularly people with disabilities, living with HIV, sex workers, and those of diverse sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI)  COVID-19 that dramatically exacerbated social and economic challenges leading to an increase in gender-based violence (GBV).  Inadequate involvement of people with disabilities (15% of the world's population), LGBTI+, sex workers and people living with HIV-AIDS, in initiatives to promote and defend their rights, and the least associated in preventing and responding to this violence. Inadequate support to nascent or relatively new Civil Society Organizations many of which remain undeclared, and, despite their effervescence and dynamism, they continue to face challenges that restrict their ability to reduce GBV and protect and promote women's rights. Limited creation of an innovative and flexible financing system in order to strengthen the contribution of CSOs in the South, in all their diversity, to the reduction of GBV. Objectives of the Programme  To Improve the sustainability of feminist Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) at the organizational and technical levels by proposing an inclusive approach to capacity building.   To support the resilience and diversity of feminist CSOs through access to flexible sustainable financing mechanisms tailored to small and/or informal and/or marginalized CSOs. To strengthen a networked movement of feminist CSOs in the Global South, linking these CSOs and national, regional, and international networks, to make their voices heard on the public stage.     To promote innovation at all levels of the programme by the CSOs themselves and the consortium member organisations.   Targets of the Programme  Feminist CSOs working with and/or for the various structurally excluded groups. Activist organizations working with or led by people who may face particularly high discrimination. Gender inequalities and GBV, such as members of the LGBTI+ community and in general people with diverse sexual orientation and gender identities and Gender Expressions (SOGIE). People living with disabilities. People with HIV/AIDS.  Sex workers.  Indirectly, targets of advocacy activities (regional bodies, national / local authorities, etc)   Approaches of the Programme  Feminist Opportunities Now (FON) aims to build capacity of feminist organisations via subgrants to enhance more diverse and resilient Civil Society Organisations when addressing and responding to gender-based violence, inequalities, discrimination, and other human rights violations related to gender. FON will set up Regional Coordination and Advisory Committees in each region (Africa, Asia and Latin America), whose role will be to help ensure inclusiveness and identify advocacy opportunities. The Sub-granting will be phased into three categories or funding windows below, and for which the first call for proposals is scheduled to be launched in April 2023: Window 1 / "Boost" The objective is for the feminist CSOs or young feminists to have the enhanced capacity to face external events (political instability, insecurity, etc.) and/or internal hurdles (organisational difficulties, necessary a project co-funding or additional programme component etc.). This window should also allow CSOs to apply for a grant in case of an upcoming opportunity such as in programming, advocacy, etc. Key words are therefore flexibility and opportunity. Window 2/ "Programmatic & Organizational Development" will support small and middle-size CSOs and young feminists that are trying to grow from an organisational, technical and programmatic point of view. The objective is to simultaneously fund a programme while reinforcing the capacities of the recipient organizations programme. Window 3 / "Synergies" will fund networks, movements and alliances to implement advocacy activities on GBV, and organizations that want to get involved in existing networks.  It will promote network and alliance building and promote visibility on national, regional and international platforms.   Location Justification  Equity is a pillar integrated in the FON implementation strategy. The programme will be implemented in 10 countries including six in Africa (Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Kenya, and  potentially Niger), two in Latin America (Colombia and Mexico) and two in Asia (Bangladesh and Sri Lanka). FON put great consideration to determine the location of the implementation of the programme using below criteria: Countries where the needs of CSOs for support are strong and the potential for exchanges and collaborations is high. Existing normative and policy frameworks but little or no implementation and respect in national law. The needs of the populations are immense and in varying proportions from one country to another, also revealing a wide potential for learning and training. Contexts that exacerbate gender-based violence and increase the need for support for feminist CSOs. Potential for collaboration with other existing and/or new interventions.  To read more about the FON consortium partners' workshop, click here.  

Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry

Feminist Opportunities Now: Empowering Feminist Organisations Around The World

7 February 2023, Nairobi, Kenya – The International Planned Parenthood (IPPF) Africa Region in collaboration with the French Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, launches a new program which aims at strengthening feminist civil society organisations (CSOs) in 10 countries and over 3 continents – the Feminist Opportunities Now (FON) project. The Feminist Opportunities Now project will help small feminist local organisations become more diverse and resilient when addressing and responding to gender-based violence, inequalities, discrimination and other human rights violations related to gender. The program is funded by the French Government via the French Development Agency (AFD). This project will be implemented in 10 countries, including six in Africa (Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Ethiopia, Kenya and potentially Niger). Others are Colombia, Mexico, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Speaking during the launch of the FON project held at the French Embassy in Nairobi on 7 February, the IPPF Africa Regional Director, Ms. Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry said “gender-based violence in all its forms is recognised as a human rights violation by the international human rights framework and jurisprudence. Gender inequality, power imbalance and lack of respect for human rights are often the root causes of such heinous acts and prevent survivors from accessing and enjoying their full sexual and reproductive health and rights. As human rights defenders, we must all take a stand and put a stop to these inexcusable acts.” The Feminist Opportunities Now is a project which is grounded on feminist principles with a deep commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights and the fight against inequalities and discrimination, especially against women and girls. END For media enquiries, please contact: Mahmoud Garga, Lead Specialist -Strategic Communication, Media Relations and Digital Campaigning, IPPF Africa Regional Office (IPPFARO) on [email protected] / Tel: +254 704 626 920 ABOUT THE FEMINIST OPPORTUNITIES NOW (FON) PROJECT The objective of the project Feminist Opportunities Now (FON), is to build the capacity of women's movements, via sub-grants to feminist organisations, with a particular effort to reaching small, often non-registered, organisations to address and respond to gender-based violence. The programme is developed based on an ecological model, using multi-disciplinary gender-transformative approaches. In addition to direct sub-granting (for € 7 million), FON will also provide a unique opportunity for longer-term mentorship to support feminist organisations in their overall development, with trainings specifically tailored to their needs. FON will also uniquely support the organisations to identify other/diverse sources of funding and also includes a research-action component to understand how these approaches can be scaled-up and made sustainable. ABOUT IPPF AFRICA REGION (IPPFAR) The International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) is one of the leading sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service delivery organization in Africa, and a leading sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) advocacy voice in the region. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the overarching goal of IPPFAR is to increase access to SRHR services to the most vulnerable youth, men and women in sub-Saharan Africa. Learn more about us on our website. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube. ABOUT THE FEMINIST OPPORTUNITIES NOW CONSORTIUM The consortium that will implement this project is composed of the International Federation for Family Planning Africa Regional Office as lead agency, Creating Resources for Empowerment and Action Inc. (CREA), Empow'Her (EH), the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and Médecins du Monde-France (MdM-FR).  

FON cover 1

Feminist Opportunities Now (FON)

      CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST The International Planned Parenthood Federation for Africa Region (IPPFAR) is pleased to announce a call for Expressions of Interest for interested organizations to become involved in their Feminist Opportunities Now (FON) programme, and join the Regional Coordination and Advisory Committee (RCAC), the advisory body that will to ensure inclusive and participatory governance of FON’s grant-making mechanism for feminist organizations across Africa: Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Guinea, the Ivory Coast, Kenya and potentially Niger.   Apply by 19 February 2023 More infos : https://bit.ly/3wJeV7o    

Tigray-crisis
19 August 2022

World Humanitarian Day 2022: It Takes a Village

19 August 2022: Today is the World Humanitarian Day, and this year's campaign shines a light on the thousands of volunteers, professionals and crisis-affected people who deliver urgent health care, shelter, food, protection, water and much more.  IPPF's Humanitarian Programme provides a distinct model for delivering life-saving sexual and reproductive healthcare in crises. We connect key elements of humanitarian action with long-term development. Watch this short, powerful video that highlights IPPF's humanitarian response to the Tigray crisis in northern Ethiopia. For more updates on our work, follow IPPF Africa Region on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube.

A woman receiving an antenatal check up in West Ambae, Vanuatu
31 March 2017

SPRINT: Sexual and reproductive health in crisis and post-crisis situations

The SPRINT Initiative provides one of the most important aspects of humanitarian assistance that is often forgotten when disaster and conflicts strike: access to essential life-saving sexual and reproductive health services. We build capacity of humanitarian workers to deliver essential life-saving sexual and reproductive health services in crisis and post-crisis situations through the delivery of the Minimum Initial Service Package (SRH) for reproductive health in emergencies.   Through funding from the Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) our SPRINT Initiative has brought sexual and reproductive health to the humanitarian agenda, increased capacity and responded to a number of humanitarian emergencies. Australia has funded the SPRINT initiative since 2007 and has supported reaching 1,138,175 people to date and continues to respond to ongoing emergencies.   In each priority country, we work with an IPPF Member Association to coordinate and implement SPRINT activities. Through these partnerships, SPRINT helps strengthen the enabling environment, improve national capacity and provide lifesaving services during times of crisis.   You can read more about the SPRINT Initiative and IPPF Humanitarian’s Programme here.   Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)      Australia's location in the Indo-Pacific provides us with a unique perspective on humanitarian action. Australia is committed to helping partner governments manage crisis response themselves. This is done through building the capacity of the national government and civil society to be able to respond to disaster. DFAT also works with experienced international partners to prepare for and respond to disasters, including other donors, United Nations agencies, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and non-government organisations.  

Malawi_IPPF_Tommy Trenchard
31 January 2022

Feminist Opportunities Now (FON)

The objective of the project is to build the capacity of women's movements, via sub-grants and organizational development support, especially for small organizations, often non-registered, to address and respond to gender-based violence. Budget:  14,000 000 EUR Donor: Agence Française de Développement (AFD) Timeline: 4 years (Start date – Q2 of 2022) Project implementation areas: Mexico and Columbia in Latin-America (led by MdM), Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in Asia (led by CREA) and Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Guinea the Ivory Cost, Kenya and Mali (led by IPPFARO Partners: IPPF ARO, Médecins du Monde(MdM), Creating Resources for Empowerment in Action (CREA), FIDH (International Federation on Human Rights) & Empow’Her. Other interesting information: It is the first time IPPF has received direct funding from AFD, the first time we are partnering with these new consortium partners and delivering on a large global project. The project supporting CSOs in Kenya Youth Changers Kenya (YCK) is a community-based organization that was founded in 2015 to promote sexual reproductive health and rights and to address systemic issues of sexual violence among adolescent girls and young women from rural and peri- urban areas. YCK’s work with girls & young women strives to provide knowledge and skills necessary to pursue education, participate in policy spaces, delay pregnancy, make informed choices and build self-confidence. At the same time, YCK strategically engages with key gate keepers to build a strong collaboration aimed at developing a more equitable justice system for sexual violence against girls and women.YCK has five thematic areas of focus which include: advocacy, sexual reproductive health and rights, girls’ education, mental health, and sexual violence. While maintaining a national focus, YCK’s 2020 focus was honed in Kakamega,  Kiambu and Nairobi counties, owing to the increased rates of SRHR violations in both areas. Further information about their work can be found here: Youth Changers Kenya – Youth Changers Kenya (YCK) is a community-based organization that was founded in 2015 to promote sexual reproductive health and rights and to address systemic issues of sexual violence among adolescent girls and young women from rural and peri- urban areas Jinsiangu focuses its work on Intersex, Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Individuals. Jinsiangu seeks to ensure that the lives and wellbeing of ITGNC persons are enhanced through the establishment of safe spaces, through advocacy and research, through the provision of information, health services, and psycho-social support, and by fostering opportunities for holistic empowerment. It is probably the FON-supported organisation in Kenya that is the strongest in terms of advocacy. FON (through our partner FIDH – Federation international des droits de l’Homme), supported Jinsiangu to attend the AU advocacy training in Arusha Tanzania last month and FON has also nominated them for CSW68, next year, because their advocacy plans include participation in this event. Website: jinsiangu , Intersex, Transgender, Gender-Non-Conforming Kenya MaryFaith Children Center MFCC is a dedicated rescue center that has been unwavering in its commitment to providing essential support and care to sexually abused girls, many of whom have endured the trauma of incestuous relationships with relatives or close family friends. Website: Mary Faith Children Centre – Securing children from societal abuse Smart Ladies Youth Initiative SLYI is a community-based organization that uses sports and Art as a unique tool for mobilizing girls and young women to dialogue on their Sexual Reproductive Health challenges. This unique approach has created avenues of reaching the vulnerable age and has developed trust and confidence in discussing any challenges girls and young women face. No Website. Entashata Loita: Entashata Loita Community Based Organization (CBO) serves the Maasai pastoralist community in the arid and semi-arid lands of Loita Division in Kenya, sharing climate adaptation strategies and advocating for women and girls’ rights to education and abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).  Kiambu Sex Workers Alliance (KIASWA): Established in 2014, the Kiambu Sex Workers Association (KIASWA) was founded by female sex workers to provide sexual and reproductive health services to Trans sex workers and female sex workers, including those using drugs, primarily in Kiambu county slums. KIASWA aims to economically empower the sex worker community in Central Kenya through initiatives such as entrepreneurship skills training, short courses, and table banking. Although its positive impact in Kiambu County was evident within six months, the challenges posed by HIV and AIDS prompted the group to seek official recognition. As one of the pioneering organizations in Central Kenya, KIASWA focuses on promoting the rights of female sex workers, adolescent girls, young women, women who have sex with women, and women who use drugs (referred to as KIASWA key populations). With a strong reputation for influencing national and local policies related to HIV prevention, care, and treatment, human rights awareness, and economic empowerment, KIASWA actively advocates for marginalized groups, aiming to reduce stigma and discrimination. The organization's goal is to influence policy and improve access to high-quality healthcare, human rights education, legal assistance, and economic empowerment for important populations, including female sex workers, teenage girls, and young women. Members actively participate in economic empowerment, gender and human rights awareness, HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment, care, and support, as well as advocacy. In addressing stigma and discrimination, KIASWA speaks up for marginalized groups and involves various stakeholders in advocacy and policy discussions. HOME - KIASWA (kiaswa-ke.org)  

Tewodros Kassa
24 September 2020

"My Experiences as a Health Journalist"- Tewodros Kassa (Ethiopia)

By Maryanne W. Waweru Tewodros Kassa is a 27-year-old journalist from Ethiopia, currently a reporter with the Ethiopian Herald. A holder of a BA degree in journalism and communications, Tewodros chose health journalism as his specialty. In this article, he shares his experiences as a health reporter, more so during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tewodros is also a member of the IPPF Africa Region SRHR Journalists' Network.  Why did you choose to be a journalist? I chose journalism because I wanted to positively contribute to society by sharing information through telling powerful stories. I observed that many people faced difficulties in life due to lack of proper information, especially that related to their health. I wanted to fill this gap by empowering them with information that would enable them to make healthy decisions about their lives. Why did you choose to specialize in health journalism? I particularly chose health journalism because good health is critical to our survival and well-being. However, there remains a wide information gap when it comes to health. While there are so many important health issues to be covered, in Ethiopia, many media houses prioritize politics, business, and other agendas, with minimal space being given to health. My desire has always been to change this by advocating for more coverage of health issues and mobilizing policy makers and other stakeholders’ commitment towards a healthier society through well-told stories. Where do you get your stories from? I like reporting from a human-interest angle. This involves interviewing ordinary people in the field. Reporting this way helps my readers connect with the story better. Data and lengthy reports filled with jargon from scientists, researchers, medics and policymakers are best interpreted and told through the stories of individuals -the human-interest angle, and that is what I do. What is your daily routine like as a health journalist? Every morning, I make sure I catch up with global and local news as I keep myself updated. I then try to develop story ideas based on the health issues of the day. I also finish any pending stories I was working on. I am constantly in touch with my sources –who include health care professionals, patients, researchers and scientists as they are the ones who give me new information and help verify facts in their areas of expertise. Which is the most memorable story you have ever filed? It has to be the story I did titled “The covert life of Eskedar”. This was the story of a 35-year-old woman living in rural Ethiopia, and whose education was interrupted when she was married off at the tender age of 10. She went on to face abuse in her marriage, which she eventually left. In her struggle for survival, she ended up on the streets as a commercial sex worker, where she faced a myriad of challenges including sexual violence, harassment and exposure to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV. Eskedar’s story inspired me to continue doing more reports that highlight issues of poverty, child marriage and the need for education of the girl child, as well as women’s empowerment.   What have some of your experiences been during COVID-19? My reporting experience during Covid-19 has no doubt been challenging. Staying at home and working from home is difficult as a journalist, especially when your work largely requires you to go out to the field to collect information. Restrictions on movement have affected our regular group discussion forums, attending of conferences and other public forums -all of which are platforms for harvesting good story ideas. However, conducting telephone interviews, use of social media and other digital technologies have allowed me to succeed in my reporting during the pandemic.  Social media has been of great benefit to me when reporting during COVID-19. I have attended many press conferences, webinars, conducted interviews and followed live proceedings of reports and briefings via social media. Besides, social media is faster than the mainstream media when it comes to disseminating stories to the public. I can also say that adhering to the stipulated COVID-19 safety mechanisms have helped me stay safe. I wear my face mask as required, washing hands properly, sanitize, stay home when it is necessary, and I observe social distancing while out there. How have you worked with IPPF’s Member Association during this time? Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia (FGAE) has over the years played a supportive role for me as a journalist – something it has continued to do during this time of COVID-19. As I’m collecting information, FGAE always helps me find the right person for the interview, generate new ideas, access experts for my story, access data and other resources, among others. FGAE has helped me over the years in my health reporting. Tewodros spoke to Maryanne W. Waweru, Communications Officer, IPPF Africa Regional Office For more information about the work of IPPF Africa Region, connect with us on Facebook and Twitter. 

WISH2ACTION
19 August 2020

"My Attitude Towards Persons with Disabilities is Different Now"-Mazza, Ethiopia

The IPPF-led Women’s Integrated Sexual Health, W2A programme, under the banner ‘Leave No One Behind’ offers quality integrated and inclusive family planning/sexual reproductive health (FP/SRH) services to marginalized and hard to reach populations such as the poor, youth under 20 and people with disability. The programme enhances disability inclusion efforts to deliver high-quality integrated sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services and counselling by working closely with consortium partners to tackle stigma and improve healthcare access for people living with disabilities (PLWDs) both at the national and community levels in the W2A countries. Ethiopia disability prevalence stands at 9.10% and as such, strengthening disability inclusiveness in service delivery has been a focus of IPPF’s Member Association in Ethiopia -Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia (FGAE) and WISH2ACTION partners in the country -Humanity and Inclusion (HI) and International Rescue Committee (IRC). This work is advanced through context analysis to identify barriers to access for people with disabilities, mapping national-level disabled persons organizations, (DPOs ) and actors working on the theme of rights of people with disabilities as well as training service providers in inclusive SRH (iSRH). “I am Mazza, a 25 year-old nurse in Gambela. Having graduated from college as clinical nurse, I have been providing family planning/ sexual and reproductive health services at a local hospital.  For years, I would face challenges when persons living with disability (PLWD) came for health services at the hospital. My greatest challenge was how to best communicate with them in order to understand their health needs and offer quality services. I was particularly surprised when they came for family planning services as I didn’t think PLWDs are sexually active, and that they too need family planning services. In March 2020, I participated in a training organized by the WISH2ACTION programme. The five-day training was on ‘disability-inclusive SRH service delivery’. Interestingly, on the first day of training, I took a pre-test and scored 30%. The test was to examine my level of knowledge and understanding of disability and SRH service delivery to this population. However, on the last day of the training I scored 80%! Indeed, I gained a lot of new information and skills during the training.  From the training, I understood that persons with disability have the same sexual and reproductive health needs as those without disabilities. Additionally, I learned about how to best communicate with them, and how to provide disability-friendly services that can help them overcome the barriers they face in accessing quality health services.  The training further enabled me to change my mindset about PLWDs, and have an improved outlook about them and their needs. They too have needs and rights that must be respected. Since attending the training, I have developed more interest in issues of disability, and my commitment to ensuring PLWDs receive quality SRH services has been strengthened. I want to thank the WISH2ACTION project for their work with PLWDs. We will achieve even greater milestones if such training opportunities are availed to all health workers. This will enable them to provide disability-inclusive quality SRH services.” For more information about the work of IPPF Africa Region, connect with us on Facebook and Twitter. 

FON in NY
15 March 2024

FON Parallel Event at CSW68: Advancing Gender Equality Through Feminist Financing

By Alejandra Garcia In the bustling halls of the CSW68, amidst discussions on global issues and women's rights, the FON Project carved out a space to spotlight an essential aspect of Advancing Equality: Financing with Feminist Approaches. This parallel event gathered a distinguished panel featuring voices from diverse backgrounds, each offering unique perspectives on the crucial role of feminist funding in promoting gender equality worldwide.  Carolina Calle, a sex worker and human rights defender from Colombia, shared her experiences alongside Shelani Palihawadana, Program Director at Youth Advocacy Network Sri Lanka, Tori Chakma representing Supporting People and Rebuilding Communities in Bangladesh, Mar Merita Blat, Head of Mission Gender at the French Development Agency (AFD), and Marie Josiane Tra Lou, from Initiative Tile in Cote d’Ivoire. Guiding the conversation was Aminata Ba, FON Project Manager from IPPF. The panel's discussions delved into the heart of the matter, highlighting the indispensable role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in economically empowering survivors of gender-based violence, particularly in the Global South. At the core of the discourse was the transformative power of feminist funding and its impact on advancing gender equality on a global scale.  Key insights emerged from the dynamic exchange, emphasizing the urgent need for direct support to feminist movements, especially in regions with fewer resources. The importance of funding dedicated explicitly to women's rights and feminist organizations was underscored, alongside the advocacy for flexible, multi-year grants that offer core support. Such funding mechanisms empower organizations to allocate resources based on their priorities, fostering sustainability and autonomy.  Moreover, the panel shed light on the significance of recognizing and supporting small, informal community groups. Bridging the funding gap and enabling mid-sized women's groups to access more substantial resources emerged as critical strategies for amplifying the impact of feminist funding initiatives. Calls for the decolonization of funding practices, feminist accountability, and a transformation of power dynamics within funding structures resonated throughout the discussions. As the event concluded, participants reflected on actionable recommendations for governments to enhance fiscal regulations supporting medium and informal feminist organizations. The collective commitment to advancing gender equality through feminist financing approaches was palpable, igniting a sense of hope and determination among attendees.  In closing, the FON Project's event at CSW68 serves as a beacon of inspiration for all stakeholders invested in gender equality. Through collaborative efforts and a steadfast dedication to feminist principles in financing, meaningful change can be realized, empowering the feminist movement worldwide. Together, let us continue to strive for a more equitable and just future for all.   

Ethiopia
21 August 2023

One Less Burden for Meaza

World Humanitarian Day is marked every year on the 19th of August honouring the humanitarian workers and organisations while underscoring the importance of providing assistance and support to people in crisis.   The IPPF-led WISH2ACTION programme sought to scale up integrated sexual and reproductive health services to key populations including the poor, youth under 20, people with disabilities, and those in humanitarian settings when it started at the end of 2018. In its current phase, the programme is implemented in Burundi, Ethiopia, Malawi, Madagascar, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. This includes providing sexual and reproductive health services within conflict areas in Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan. The provision of services in humanitarian settings comes with its own set of challenges but heart-wrenching stories such as Meaza’s remind us of the importance of leaving no one behind. Meaza Hailu, is a 33-year-old married woman who resided with her husband and three children in Kafta Humora in Western Tigray until November 2020 when war broke out. Her family was attacked one night in their home by the armed militia who killed her eldest son. They were expelled from their home and fled to the Mekelle settlement and now reside in an IDP camp. “Before we were expelled from our homes, we had a decent home and were self-sufficient in every way. Currently, my life is completely devastated after witnessing the killing of my son and my relatives at the hands of armed local militia. Now, we have lost everything we had and find ourselves seeking shelter in an empty settlement in Mekelle. Our survival depends solely on aid agencies and the local host communities. Unfortunately, we have not received any food assistance for several months, and we are suffering severely from starvation, physical ailments, and stress. Both my children and I find it hard to fall asleep since we witnessed the murder of my son” she said. The WISH2ACTION programme has mobile health teams that visit IDP camps in the Tigray region raising awareness of sexual and reproductive health and rights and providing sexual and reproductive health services including contraception, post-abortion care, antenatal care, and care for survivors of sexual gender-based violence (SGBV). Overburdened by her hardships and traumatised by her experience, Meaza does not want to have another child at this time. “Due to the hardships, we are facing, I cannot afford to have another child in the near term. Additionally, I do not plan to have another child until we can return to our home and resume a normal life. That is why I visited several public facilities, including Mekelle General Hospital, in search of contraception services, but without success.” Meaza had visited several public facilities in Mekelle seeking contraceptive services, but commodities were unavailable. “Recently, I went to Mekelle Hospital, seeking contraceptive services. The providers there told me to wait until the WISH2ACTION mobile SRH team visited my IDP site. I waited for the team for one week, hoping to finally access the family planning service I had been seeking for a long time." On May 16, 2023, the programme mobile health team visited the Hatsey Yohannes IDP site in Mekelle. Meaza attended the outreach. She received counselling and opted for a three-year contraceptive implant. After the service, she expressed her gratitude to the team, “Now, you have relieved a tremendous burden for me, and I am truly grateful to the WISH staff.” Feven Nigussie, an outreach service provider, emphasized the significance of their work, stating “Majority of our clients are displaced and host community women and girls. We regularly attend to different SRH-related cases such as SGBV survivors, women, and girls seeking post-abortion care for unintended pregnancies and contraceptive services to prevent pregnancies, etc. The programme is contributing to a reduction in maternal mortality and morbidity related to complications of unsafe abortions, and SGBV.” Meaza is representative of the millions of people in need of assistance in humanitarian settings across the globe. Today should stand as a reminder that we should all advocate for those in need and work towards a more compassionate and just world.

FON family photo
16 March 2023

Feminist Opportunities Now: Empowering Feminist Organizations Around the World

Feminist Opportunities Now (FON) is a programme that aims to build capacity of feminist organisations via subgrants to enhance more diverse and resilience Civil Society Organisations when addressing and responding to gender-based violence, inequalities, discrimination and other human rights violations related to gender. International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) is the FON consortium lead, with the other consortium partners being Médecins du Monde (MdM-FR), Creating Resources for Empowerment and Action Inc. (CREA), the International Federation on Human Rights (FIDH) and Empow’Her (EH). The programme is funded by the French Government via the French Development Agency (AFD). The action of the consortium's member organizations is based on feminist principles, a deep commitment to the promotion of human rights and the fight against inequalities and discrimination, especially against women and girls. They have a long experience of the themes of the programme mandates and complementary expertise that underpin the robustness of the holistic approach of the programme.   The Challenge  Gender inequalities on a global scale affect half of the world's population. Gender inequality is one of the main obstacles to human development. The FON Programme seeks to address such inequalities. Some of the challenges leading to these inequalities include: Lack of and/or effective implementation of comprehensive laws, policies, legal instruments to address gender inequalities worldwide, leading to increased gender inequalities. Lack of or limited implementation of the frameworks, which widens inequalities and aggravate the precariousness of women and girls- particularly people with disabilities, living with HIV, sex workers, and those of diverse sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI)  COVID-19 that dramatically exacerbated social and economic challenges leading to an increase in gender-based violence (GBV).  Inadequate involvement of people with disabilities (15% of the world's population), LGBTI+, sex workers and people living with HIV-AIDS, in initiatives to promote and defend their rights, and the least associated in preventing and responding to this violence. Inadequate support to nascent or relatively new Civil Society Organizations many of which remain undeclared, and, despite their effervescence and dynamism, they continue to face challenges that restrict their ability to reduce GBV and protect and promote women's rights. Limited creation of an innovative and flexible financing system in order to strengthen the contribution of CSOs in the South, in all their diversity, to the reduction of GBV. Objectives of the Programme  To Improve the sustainability of feminist Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) at the organizational and technical levels by proposing an inclusive approach to capacity building.   To support the resilience and diversity of feminist CSOs through access to flexible sustainable financing mechanisms tailored to small and/or informal and/or marginalized CSOs. To strengthen a networked movement of feminist CSOs in the Global South, linking these CSOs and national, regional, and international networks, to make their voices heard on the public stage.     To promote innovation at all levels of the programme by the CSOs themselves and the consortium member organisations.   Targets of the Programme  Feminist CSOs working with and/or for the various structurally excluded groups. Activist organizations working with or led by people who may face particularly high discrimination. Gender inequalities and GBV, such as members of the LGBTI+ community and in general people with diverse sexual orientation and gender identities and Gender Expressions (SOGIE). People living with disabilities. People with HIV/AIDS.  Sex workers.  Indirectly, targets of advocacy activities (regional bodies, national / local authorities, etc)   Approaches of the Programme  Feminist Opportunities Now (FON) aims to build capacity of feminist organisations via subgrants to enhance more diverse and resilient Civil Society Organisations when addressing and responding to gender-based violence, inequalities, discrimination, and other human rights violations related to gender. FON will set up Regional Coordination and Advisory Committees in each region (Africa, Asia and Latin America), whose role will be to help ensure inclusiveness and identify advocacy opportunities. The Sub-granting will be phased into three categories or funding windows below, and for which the first call for proposals is scheduled to be launched in April 2023: Window 1 / "Boost" The objective is for the feminist CSOs or young feminists to have the enhanced capacity to face external events (political instability, insecurity, etc.) and/or internal hurdles (organisational difficulties, necessary a project co-funding or additional programme component etc.). This window should also allow CSOs to apply for a grant in case of an upcoming opportunity such as in programming, advocacy, etc. Key words are therefore flexibility and opportunity. Window 2/ "Programmatic & Organizational Development" will support small and middle-size CSOs and young feminists that are trying to grow from an organisational, technical and programmatic point of view. The objective is to simultaneously fund a programme while reinforcing the capacities of the recipient organizations programme. Window 3 / "Synergies" will fund networks, movements and alliances to implement advocacy activities on GBV, and organizations that want to get involved in existing networks.  It will promote network and alliance building and promote visibility on national, regional and international platforms.   Location Justification  Equity is a pillar integrated in the FON implementation strategy. The programme will be implemented in 10 countries including six in Africa (Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Kenya, and  potentially Niger), two in Latin America (Colombia and Mexico) and two in Asia (Bangladesh and Sri Lanka). FON put great consideration to determine the location of the implementation of the programme using below criteria: Countries where the needs of CSOs for support are strong and the potential for exchanges and collaborations is high. Existing normative and policy frameworks but little or no implementation and respect in national law. The needs of the populations are immense and in varying proportions from one country to another, also revealing a wide potential for learning and training. Contexts that exacerbate gender-based violence and increase the need for support for feminist CSOs. Potential for collaboration with other existing and/or new interventions.  To read more about the FON consortium partners' workshop, click here.  

Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry

Feminist Opportunities Now: Empowering Feminist Organisations Around The World

7 February 2023, Nairobi, Kenya – The International Planned Parenthood (IPPF) Africa Region in collaboration with the French Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, launches a new program which aims at strengthening feminist civil society organisations (CSOs) in 10 countries and over 3 continents – the Feminist Opportunities Now (FON) project. The Feminist Opportunities Now project will help small feminist local organisations become more diverse and resilient when addressing and responding to gender-based violence, inequalities, discrimination and other human rights violations related to gender. The program is funded by the French Government via the French Development Agency (AFD). This project will be implemented in 10 countries, including six in Africa (Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Ethiopia, Kenya and potentially Niger). Others are Colombia, Mexico, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Speaking during the launch of the FON project held at the French Embassy in Nairobi on 7 February, the IPPF Africa Regional Director, Ms. Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry said “gender-based violence in all its forms is recognised as a human rights violation by the international human rights framework and jurisprudence. Gender inequality, power imbalance and lack of respect for human rights are often the root causes of such heinous acts and prevent survivors from accessing and enjoying their full sexual and reproductive health and rights. As human rights defenders, we must all take a stand and put a stop to these inexcusable acts.” The Feminist Opportunities Now is a project which is grounded on feminist principles with a deep commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights and the fight against inequalities and discrimination, especially against women and girls. END For media enquiries, please contact: Mahmoud Garga, Lead Specialist -Strategic Communication, Media Relations and Digital Campaigning, IPPF Africa Regional Office (IPPFARO) on [email protected] / Tel: +254 704 626 920 ABOUT THE FEMINIST OPPORTUNITIES NOW (FON) PROJECT The objective of the project Feminist Opportunities Now (FON), is to build the capacity of women's movements, via sub-grants to feminist organisations, with a particular effort to reaching small, often non-registered, organisations to address and respond to gender-based violence. The programme is developed based on an ecological model, using multi-disciplinary gender-transformative approaches. In addition to direct sub-granting (for € 7 million), FON will also provide a unique opportunity for longer-term mentorship to support feminist organisations in their overall development, with trainings specifically tailored to their needs. FON will also uniquely support the organisations to identify other/diverse sources of funding and also includes a research-action component to understand how these approaches can be scaled-up and made sustainable. ABOUT IPPF AFRICA REGION (IPPFAR) The International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) is one of the leading sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service delivery organization in Africa, and a leading sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) advocacy voice in the region. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the overarching goal of IPPFAR is to increase access to SRHR services to the most vulnerable youth, men and women in sub-Saharan Africa. Learn more about us on our website. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube. ABOUT THE FEMINIST OPPORTUNITIES NOW CONSORTIUM The consortium that will implement this project is composed of the International Federation for Family Planning Africa Regional Office as lead agency, Creating Resources for Empowerment and Action Inc. (CREA), Empow'Her (EH), the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and Médecins du Monde-France (MdM-FR).  

FON cover 1

Feminist Opportunities Now (FON)

      CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST The International Planned Parenthood Federation for Africa Region (IPPFAR) is pleased to announce a call for Expressions of Interest for interested organizations to become involved in their Feminist Opportunities Now (FON) programme, and join the Regional Coordination and Advisory Committee (RCAC), the advisory body that will to ensure inclusive and participatory governance of FON’s grant-making mechanism for feminist organizations across Africa: Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Guinea, the Ivory Coast, Kenya and potentially Niger.   Apply by 19 February 2023 More infos : https://bit.ly/3wJeV7o    

Tigray-crisis
19 August 2022

World Humanitarian Day 2022: It Takes a Village

19 August 2022: Today is the World Humanitarian Day, and this year's campaign shines a light on the thousands of volunteers, professionals and crisis-affected people who deliver urgent health care, shelter, food, protection, water and much more.  IPPF's Humanitarian Programme provides a distinct model for delivering life-saving sexual and reproductive healthcare in crises. We connect key elements of humanitarian action with long-term development. Watch this short, powerful video that highlights IPPF's humanitarian response to the Tigray crisis in northern Ethiopia. For more updates on our work, follow IPPF Africa Region on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube.

A woman receiving an antenatal check up in West Ambae, Vanuatu
31 March 2017

SPRINT: Sexual and reproductive health in crisis and post-crisis situations

The SPRINT Initiative provides one of the most important aspects of humanitarian assistance that is often forgotten when disaster and conflicts strike: access to essential life-saving sexual and reproductive health services. We build capacity of humanitarian workers to deliver essential life-saving sexual and reproductive health services in crisis and post-crisis situations through the delivery of the Minimum Initial Service Package (SRH) for reproductive health in emergencies.   Through funding from the Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) our SPRINT Initiative has brought sexual and reproductive health to the humanitarian agenda, increased capacity and responded to a number of humanitarian emergencies. Australia has funded the SPRINT initiative since 2007 and has supported reaching 1,138,175 people to date and continues to respond to ongoing emergencies.   In each priority country, we work with an IPPF Member Association to coordinate and implement SPRINT activities. Through these partnerships, SPRINT helps strengthen the enabling environment, improve national capacity and provide lifesaving services during times of crisis.   You can read more about the SPRINT Initiative and IPPF Humanitarian’s Programme here.   Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)      Australia's location in the Indo-Pacific provides us with a unique perspective on humanitarian action. Australia is committed to helping partner governments manage crisis response themselves. This is done through building the capacity of the national government and civil society to be able to respond to disaster. DFAT also works with experienced international partners to prepare for and respond to disasters, including other donors, United Nations agencies, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and non-government organisations.  

Malawi_IPPF_Tommy Trenchard
31 January 2022

Feminist Opportunities Now (FON)

The objective of the project is to build the capacity of women's movements, via sub-grants and organizational development support, especially for small organizations, often non-registered, to address and respond to gender-based violence. Budget:  14,000 000 EUR Donor: Agence Française de Développement (AFD) Timeline: 4 years (Start date – Q2 of 2022) Project implementation areas: Mexico and Columbia in Latin-America (led by MdM), Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in Asia (led by CREA) and Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Guinea the Ivory Cost, Kenya and Mali (led by IPPFARO Partners: IPPF ARO, Médecins du Monde(MdM), Creating Resources for Empowerment in Action (CREA), FIDH (International Federation on Human Rights) & Empow’Her. Other interesting information: It is the first time IPPF has received direct funding from AFD, the first time we are partnering with these new consortium partners and delivering on a large global project. The project supporting CSOs in Kenya Youth Changers Kenya (YCK) is a community-based organization that was founded in 2015 to promote sexual reproductive health and rights and to address systemic issues of sexual violence among adolescent girls and young women from rural and peri- urban areas. YCK’s work with girls & young women strives to provide knowledge and skills necessary to pursue education, participate in policy spaces, delay pregnancy, make informed choices and build self-confidence. At the same time, YCK strategically engages with key gate keepers to build a strong collaboration aimed at developing a more equitable justice system for sexual violence against girls and women.YCK has five thematic areas of focus which include: advocacy, sexual reproductive health and rights, girls’ education, mental health, and sexual violence. While maintaining a national focus, YCK’s 2020 focus was honed in Kakamega,  Kiambu and Nairobi counties, owing to the increased rates of SRHR violations in both areas. Further information about their work can be found here: Youth Changers Kenya – Youth Changers Kenya (YCK) is a community-based organization that was founded in 2015 to promote sexual reproductive health and rights and to address systemic issues of sexual violence among adolescent girls and young women from rural and peri- urban areas Jinsiangu focuses its work on Intersex, Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Individuals. Jinsiangu seeks to ensure that the lives and wellbeing of ITGNC persons are enhanced through the establishment of safe spaces, through advocacy and research, through the provision of information, health services, and psycho-social support, and by fostering opportunities for holistic empowerment. It is probably the FON-supported organisation in Kenya that is the strongest in terms of advocacy. FON (through our partner FIDH – Federation international des droits de l’Homme), supported Jinsiangu to attend the AU advocacy training in Arusha Tanzania last month and FON has also nominated them for CSW68, next year, because their advocacy plans include participation in this event. Website: jinsiangu , Intersex, Transgender, Gender-Non-Conforming Kenya MaryFaith Children Center MFCC is a dedicated rescue center that has been unwavering in its commitment to providing essential support and care to sexually abused girls, many of whom have endured the trauma of incestuous relationships with relatives or close family friends. Website: Mary Faith Children Centre – Securing children from societal abuse Smart Ladies Youth Initiative SLYI is a community-based organization that uses sports and Art as a unique tool for mobilizing girls and young women to dialogue on their Sexual Reproductive Health challenges. This unique approach has created avenues of reaching the vulnerable age and has developed trust and confidence in discussing any challenges girls and young women face. No Website. Entashata Loita: Entashata Loita Community Based Organization (CBO) serves the Maasai pastoralist community in the arid and semi-arid lands of Loita Division in Kenya, sharing climate adaptation strategies and advocating for women and girls’ rights to education and abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).  Kiambu Sex Workers Alliance (KIASWA): Established in 2014, the Kiambu Sex Workers Association (KIASWA) was founded by female sex workers to provide sexual and reproductive health services to Trans sex workers and female sex workers, including those using drugs, primarily in Kiambu county slums. KIASWA aims to economically empower the sex worker community in Central Kenya through initiatives such as entrepreneurship skills training, short courses, and table banking. Although its positive impact in Kiambu County was evident within six months, the challenges posed by HIV and AIDS prompted the group to seek official recognition. As one of the pioneering organizations in Central Kenya, KIASWA focuses on promoting the rights of female sex workers, adolescent girls, young women, women who have sex with women, and women who use drugs (referred to as KIASWA key populations). With a strong reputation for influencing national and local policies related to HIV prevention, care, and treatment, human rights awareness, and economic empowerment, KIASWA actively advocates for marginalized groups, aiming to reduce stigma and discrimination. The organization's goal is to influence policy and improve access to high-quality healthcare, human rights education, legal assistance, and economic empowerment for important populations, including female sex workers, teenage girls, and young women. Members actively participate in economic empowerment, gender and human rights awareness, HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment, care, and support, as well as advocacy. In addressing stigma and discrimination, KIASWA speaks up for marginalized groups and involves various stakeholders in advocacy and policy discussions. HOME - KIASWA (kiaswa-ke.org)  

Tewodros Kassa
24 September 2020

"My Experiences as a Health Journalist"- Tewodros Kassa (Ethiopia)

By Maryanne W. Waweru Tewodros Kassa is a 27-year-old journalist from Ethiopia, currently a reporter with the Ethiopian Herald. A holder of a BA degree in journalism and communications, Tewodros chose health journalism as his specialty. In this article, he shares his experiences as a health reporter, more so during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tewodros is also a member of the IPPF Africa Region SRHR Journalists' Network.  Why did you choose to be a journalist? I chose journalism because I wanted to positively contribute to society by sharing information through telling powerful stories. I observed that many people faced difficulties in life due to lack of proper information, especially that related to their health. I wanted to fill this gap by empowering them with information that would enable them to make healthy decisions about their lives. Why did you choose to specialize in health journalism? I particularly chose health journalism because good health is critical to our survival and well-being. However, there remains a wide information gap when it comes to health. While there are so many important health issues to be covered, in Ethiopia, many media houses prioritize politics, business, and other agendas, with minimal space being given to health. My desire has always been to change this by advocating for more coverage of health issues and mobilizing policy makers and other stakeholders’ commitment towards a healthier society through well-told stories. Where do you get your stories from? I like reporting from a human-interest angle. This involves interviewing ordinary people in the field. Reporting this way helps my readers connect with the story better. Data and lengthy reports filled with jargon from scientists, researchers, medics and policymakers are best interpreted and told through the stories of individuals -the human-interest angle, and that is what I do. What is your daily routine like as a health journalist? Every morning, I make sure I catch up with global and local news as I keep myself updated. I then try to develop story ideas based on the health issues of the day. I also finish any pending stories I was working on. I am constantly in touch with my sources –who include health care professionals, patients, researchers and scientists as they are the ones who give me new information and help verify facts in their areas of expertise. Which is the most memorable story you have ever filed? It has to be the story I did titled “The covert life of Eskedar”. This was the story of a 35-year-old woman living in rural Ethiopia, and whose education was interrupted when she was married off at the tender age of 10. She went on to face abuse in her marriage, which she eventually left. In her struggle for survival, she ended up on the streets as a commercial sex worker, where she faced a myriad of challenges including sexual violence, harassment and exposure to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV. Eskedar’s story inspired me to continue doing more reports that highlight issues of poverty, child marriage and the need for education of the girl child, as well as women’s empowerment.   What have some of your experiences been during COVID-19? My reporting experience during Covid-19 has no doubt been challenging. Staying at home and working from home is difficult as a journalist, especially when your work largely requires you to go out to the field to collect information. Restrictions on movement have affected our regular group discussion forums, attending of conferences and other public forums -all of which are platforms for harvesting good story ideas. However, conducting telephone interviews, use of social media and other digital technologies have allowed me to succeed in my reporting during the pandemic.  Social media has been of great benefit to me when reporting during COVID-19. I have attended many press conferences, webinars, conducted interviews and followed live proceedings of reports and briefings via social media. Besides, social media is faster than the mainstream media when it comes to disseminating stories to the public. I can also say that adhering to the stipulated COVID-19 safety mechanisms have helped me stay safe. I wear my face mask as required, washing hands properly, sanitize, stay home when it is necessary, and I observe social distancing while out there. How have you worked with IPPF’s Member Association during this time? Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia (FGAE) has over the years played a supportive role for me as a journalist – something it has continued to do during this time of COVID-19. As I’m collecting information, FGAE always helps me find the right person for the interview, generate new ideas, access experts for my story, access data and other resources, among others. FGAE has helped me over the years in my health reporting. Tewodros spoke to Maryanne W. Waweru, Communications Officer, IPPF Africa Regional Office For more information about the work of IPPF Africa Region, connect with us on Facebook and Twitter. 

WISH2ACTION
19 August 2020

"My Attitude Towards Persons with Disabilities is Different Now"-Mazza, Ethiopia

The IPPF-led Women’s Integrated Sexual Health, W2A programme, under the banner ‘Leave No One Behind’ offers quality integrated and inclusive family planning/sexual reproductive health (FP/SRH) services to marginalized and hard to reach populations such as the poor, youth under 20 and people with disability. The programme enhances disability inclusion efforts to deliver high-quality integrated sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services and counselling by working closely with consortium partners to tackle stigma and improve healthcare access for people living with disabilities (PLWDs) both at the national and community levels in the W2A countries. Ethiopia disability prevalence stands at 9.10% and as such, strengthening disability inclusiveness in service delivery has been a focus of IPPF’s Member Association in Ethiopia -Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia (FGAE) and WISH2ACTION partners in the country -Humanity and Inclusion (HI) and International Rescue Committee (IRC). This work is advanced through context analysis to identify barriers to access for people with disabilities, mapping national-level disabled persons organizations, (DPOs ) and actors working on the theme of rights of people with disabilities as well as training service providers in inclusive SRH (iSRH). “I am Mazza, a 25 year-old nurse in Gambela. Having graduated from college as clinical nurse, I have been providing family planning/ sexual and reproductive health services at a local hospital.  For years, I would face challenges when persons living with disability (PLWD) came for health services at the hospital. My greatest challenge was how to best communicate with them in order to understand their health needs and offer quality services. I was particularly surprised when they came for family planning services as I didn’t think PLWDs are sexually active, and that they too need family planning services. In March 2020, I participated in a training organized by the WISH2ACTION programme. The five-day training was on ‘disability-inclusive SRH service delivery’. Interestingly, on the first day of training, I took a pre-test and scored 30%. The test was to examine my level of knowledge and understanding of disability and SRH service delivery to this population. However, on the last day of the training I scored 80%! Indeed, I gained a lot of new information and skills during the training.  From the training, I understood that persons with disability have the same sexual and reproductive health needs as those without disabilities. Additionally, I learned about how to best communicate with them, and how to provide disability-friendly services that can help them overcome the barriers they face in accessing quality health services.  The training further enabled me to change my mindset about PLWDs, and have an improved outlook about them and their needs. They too have needs and rights that must be respected. Since attending the training, I have developed more interest in issues of disability, and my commitment to ensuring PLWDs receive quality SRH services has been strengthened. I want to thank the WISH2ACTION project for their work with PLWDs. We will achieve even greater milestones if such training opportunities are availed to all health workers. This will enable them to provide disability-inclusive quality SRH services.” For more information about the work of IPPF Africa Region, connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.