The loss in human lives, displacements and socio-economic connections of the conflict in Ethiopia has been devastating.
Ethiopia continues to face a massive chronic displacement situation fused by layers of new forced population movements throughout the country due to conflict, inter-communal violence and climate change. As of March 2022, an estimated 5,582,000 people were displaced within the country due to armed conflict and natural disasters, while there are 2,848,0001 IDPs in Amhara, Afar and Tigray Regions.
The JF-CPiE project has been implemented in the northern part of Ethiopia 700 km away from the capital city. The implementation area is focused on two Zones, North Wollo Zone in Amhara Region of Ethiopia and Gubalaftoo in South Wollo Zone.
The project adopted the IMpower-IMsafer training that has created a great impact on the children. IMpower-IMsafer training is an evidence informed training cutting edge violence prevention curriculum that has been designed specifically for implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Designed for youth age 10-20, IMSafer programming is deeply rooted in Empowerment and Self-Defense, which is a uniquely holistic, survivor-centered approach for self-protection skills. It is an 8-hour course, comprised of 4 sessions that teach young people mental, verbal and physical self-defense skills that can be used to prevent sexual assault and other forms of gender-based violence.
IMpower and IMsafer programs are systems of knowledge and strategies that end the cycle of violence by teaching girls to set boundaries, stand up and defend themselves, and boys to challenge rape culture, ask for consent and intervene in attacks. The key objectives were mainly to be more assertive, strong, and powerful and understand safety goal of Empowerment, Self-Defense, Encouraging disclosure of violence especially sexual violence, giving gender based violence first line support and referring them for support.
The story of Alem* and her best friend Eden*
One Friday on our way to school, a young man around 17 years old blocked our path and grabbed Eden’s hand. Though she tried to pull away he was stronger and did not let her go. She cried, No! No!… but he just laughed and said “you are a women and cannot say no, and your no is totally not accepted”. I intervened and told him that we are students, and begged him to leave Eden alone, but to no avail. Finally, he called a Bajaj (small taxi) driver and took her away. I stood there crying, not knowing what to do. So, instead of going to school I went back home. I was afraid to tell her family what happened, and instead I made up a story why I was not at school that day. After the weekend I went to school and met my friend again, and we continued with the regular classes.
Back in school both Eden and I were selected to participate in trainings at school for life skill and Impower and Imsafer trainings. This training was very useful for us girls living in the post conflict environment. We gained more insight on how to build our self-confidence, being more assertive, develop positive copying mechanism and how to defend ourselves from abusive people.
In all development and humanitarian work there is need to ensure meaningful participation of children. Breaking the silence towards sexual violence and helping children to be ambassadors for changes is important, so that they can advocate for their own rights.
After this training, when my friend Eden started feeling unwell, we both went to the hospital. The Doctor asked me to wait outside while he attended her. Eden told the doctor that she had been raped sometime back and after he did some tests, she was found to be pregnant. Eden started crying and the doctor comforted her and told her she had the option to terminate the pregnancy. With her consent she agreed and the doctor terminated the pregnancy. She has continued with her education.
Now participants of these two trainings including us feel more confident on all aspects and can protect ourselves and report abusers. These kind of training needs to be provided to many adolescent girls and youth to help them in all situations.
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 | This publication was produced with the financial support of the German Humanitarian Assistance Its contents are the sole responsibility of Joining Forces and do not necessarily reflect the views of the German Humanitarian Assistance. |
*Not her real name.