Ethiopia
Children in Ethiopia
Children remain at a high risk of living in poverty with limited access to essential services. The youth represent a large section of the Ethiopian society. An estimated 31.5 million people in Ethiopia are between 15-29 years, which constitutes about 30 per cent of the total population, with the median age being just 19 years old.
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Girma Amentie Gari
Terre des Hommes Netherlands, Country Director, EthiopiaTerre des Hommes Netherlands is an organisation that keeps children at the centre of its operations. Whatever we do, we make sure that children are protected and they are also meaningfully participating in our programmes. We will keep our commitment and continue our work to end child exploitation in Ethiopia.
Our work in Ethiopia
Our work in Ethiopia is focused on supporting children on the move and related, interlinked issues of child exploitation, mainly child trafficking, unsafe migration, child sexual exploitation, child labour, child marriage and female genital mutilation. Additionally, we provide vital humanitarian assistance.
The current programmes in the country are centred around providing support to children who are suffering from man-made and natural crises, as well as empowering girls and young women by enhancing their decision-making power in all matters that affect their lives.
Terre des Hommes Netherlands collaborates with local organisations and networks to implement both development and humanitarian projects. The projects aim to prevent child exploitation, provide assistance to exploited children and children experiencing conflict, and influence relevant policies and practices at the local and national levels.
Our approach: Children are at the centre
Children are at the centre of everything we do. We support them to get access to education and other skills development so they can eventually find jobs to earn better incomes. We build their resilience and facilitate their empowerment. And we help them amplify their voice, opening opportunities to speak up to those with the power to realise systemic change.
Strengthening child protection
We educate parents and communities. We build the capacity of local structures to effectively prevent, detect, report and respond to child exploitation. We collaborate with other actors to influence the strengthening of the legal and policy environment for better promotion and protection of children’s rights.
Our programmes
Our partners in Ethiopia
Together with experienced partners we are working towards a world without child exploitation, where young people can feel safe today and better about tomorrow. Join our fight.
Terre des Hommes Netherlands is a member of the:
- Joining Forces – an alliance of six child-focused international NGOs;
- She Leads, a five-year strategic partnership between the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and four consortium organisations – Terre des Hommes Netherlands, Plan Netherlands, DCI-ECPAT;
- Netherlands and the African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET);
- Ethiopia HINGO Forum – is a forum of International organisations working within the humanitarian setting;
- Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council.
Within the local context we work alongside our local partners:
Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association
Since its establishment in 1996, EWLA has been addressing the issue of gender equality, women empowerment and violence against women among many other issues. EWLA has helped women access justice, which is crucial to attain gender equality through the following three major programs; Provision of Free Legal Aid Service to Women and Female Children, Public Education and Capacity Building and Research and Law Reform Advocacy. EWLA has its head office in the capital of Addis Ababa and eight regional branches in Adama/Nazareth, Assosa, Bahir Dar, Diredawa, Gambella, Hawassa, Semera and Jigjiga. Terre des Hommes Netherlands is partnersing with EWLA under the She Leads Program that focus on empowering girls and young women.
ANPPCAN
African Network for the Prevention and Protection Against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN) – Ethiopia is a non-political, non-religious, not for profit nongovernmental local organization established in 1990. The main focal areas of ANPPCAN – Ethiopia are provision of parenting skills, rehabilitation and reintegration of children under difficult circumstances, community-based support for orphans and vulnerable children, and development programs with particular focus on quality education, primary health care, sexual reproductive health, empowerment of women, water and sanitation and livelihood of disadvantaged families with the active involvement of children, communities, relevant government organizations and other stakeholders. Terre des Hommes Netherlands partners with ANPPCAN – Ethiopia in various projects concentrating on curbing child trafficking and unsafe migration in Amhara Region.
Mahibere Hiwot for Social Development
Mahibere Hiwot for Social Development (MSD) was established in 1999 by few volunteer youth who were concerned and hence aspired to contribute their part in the national effort to combat the spread of the HIV epidemic in Ethiopia. Given its beginning, a major focus of MSD’s work has been in HIV prevention, care and support; care and support for orphans and vulnerable children; youth sexual and reproductive health; family planning; migration; child protection; and environmental protection. MSD strives to see women, youth and children achieve their greatest potential and actively participate in the socio-economic development of the country. Terre des Hommes Netherlands cooperates with MSD in the Paths to Safer Childhood project, addressing child trafficking and unsafe migration in Amhara Region.
Network of Ethiopian Women Association
The Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA) currently has 29 members organizations. NEWA has a twofold goal: synchronizing the individual activities of women associations into an integrated collective effort and synergy to realize their common aspirations for gender equality; and launching a vigorous public campaign of promotion, advocacy, and lobbying for women’s rights.
Strategies for Northern Development (SND)
Strategies for Northern Development (SND) is a local organisation working with nomadic pastoralist communities in Northern Kenya and Southern Ethiopia. SND supports the empowerment and transformation of pastoralist communities to be self-resilient in life.
Funding Partners
Our work in Ethiopia is made possible through the financial support of:
- Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)
- Dutch Relief Alliance (DRA)
