ChildFund Ethiopia chose International Women’s Day in 2012 to show both their own and their implementing partners’ commitment to fighting gender based violence.   The focus was through community based programming with the direct involvement of stakeholders and the community.

This was planned and carried out in collaboration with the government’s Zonal (sub-regional administrative area) and Woreda (district) Women, Children and Youth Affairs Offices.  Events started on International Women’s Day – 8th March 2012 – and continued into the following week.

Different messages were passed to the public to help raise awareness on gender based violence in order to tackle a major problem that hinders women’s role in development in their areas.   The messages included   “Teaching Women/Girls is teaching Society”; “Stop Female Genital Mutilation/FGM” and “Women’s participation is needed to ensure development”; “Men’s involvement is essential to ensure Women’s rights” .

In addition, children from Arada Child and Family Development Association /CFDA commemorated the day with an art display that demonstrates Women’s role for development.

Eight women staff from the ChildFund Ethiopia office in Addis Ababa participated in a five km race on March 11, 2012.

Go ChildFund Ethiopia!