Ethiopia is a deeply traditional society where violence against women is acceptable; 75% of women aged 15-49 years have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) causing severe pain and leading to health complications; 8% of married women have been abducted into marriage; often raped on their way to school and forced to marry the attacker; 59% of women experience sexual violence from their partner but are powerless to challenge violence as they depend economically on their perpetrators.

In order for women to be empowered and live free from violence and harmful practices such as FGM and child abduction, they need to be economically self sufficient. Our partners Siiqqee and ICEDA work to abolish FGM and child abduction; Siiqqee runs a network of Self Help Groups and supports women to start their own businesses through microfinance. ICEDA raises awareness in schools and communities and has increased the number of girls staying in school.