Combating Harmful Traditional Practices and Empowering Adolescent Girls in the Dire Dawa Region

Project Overview

Supported by UAF Africa’s IGNITE program, this project addresses gender-based violence (GBV), especially harmful traditional practices (HTPs) such as female genital mutilation and early marriage, in Dire Dawa. It focuses on improving educational access and outcomes for adolescent girls by creating safe, supportive environments in schools and communities.

Objectives

• Integrate gender equality, life skills, and awareness of harmful traditional practices (HTPs) into education through sustainable gender clubs in both government and non-government schools.
• Strengthen collaboration among key stakeholders—schools, education authorities, law enforcement, health centers, and community leaders—to build a protective environment for adolescent girls.
• Enhance the capacity of existing government dormitory services that support vulnerable girls, ensuring they remain in school and are protected from early marriage and other harmful practices.

Target Audience

Directly 1 010 people: 300 adolescent girls, 100 adolescent boys, 600 community members and 60 local authority members. Indirect beneficiaries include teachers, community members, local leaders, and service providers.

Approach
The project will implement gender clubs in both public and private schools, using interactive training, crafts-based income generation, and male allyship to engage youth. Capacity building for female teachers ensures club sustainability. Simultaneously, it fosters collaboration among community stakeholders—schools, local authorities, and service providers—through awareness events and advocacy forums. A third component strengthens the existing dormitory for vulnerable girls by providing training, material support, and a sustainable tutoring system, ensuring a safe and empowering educational environment. Together, these elements reinforce each other to create long-lasting social change.

Expected outcome

Expected outcomes include increased school attendance and retention among girls, reduced HTP prevalence, improved awareness of gender issues, and strengthened local systems for protecting girls. The project seeks to empower girls to become agents of change in their communities.

Timeline
June 25, 2024 – February 28, 2026 (20 months)

Call to Action – CTA

Support the movement by raising awareness about HTPs and GBV within your community. Involve boys in the conversation and encourage their advocacy. Help promote our campaigns on your social media platforms. Volunteer for the tutoring program at the girls’ dormitory. Donate books about powerful and inspiring women to motivate and empower the girls.

Donor
UAF Africa – IGNITE Program

Target Area

Dire Dawa Region