Combating Gender-Based Violence in the Dire Dawa Region

Project Overview

A cooperation project between the sisterly cities of Dire Dawa and Villeurbanne (France), this project funded by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the French Embassy to Ethiopia, is a 24-month project that addresses GBV in 25 kebeles of Dire Dawa through awareness-raising, capacity building, survivor-centered GBV response, and socio-economic reintegration. Activities include school and community sessions, strengthening shelters, referral systems, and supporting survivors with business training and seed funding.

Objectives

• Prevent and reduce GBV through widespread community awareness and engagement.

•      Improve quality and accessibility of essential services for GBV survivors.

•      Enhance coordination and capacity among stakeholders for effective GBV response.

• Support the socio-economic reintegration and empowerment of women survivors of violence.

Target Audience

200-250 GBV survivors, 200 community volunteers and influencers, 100 service providers and civil society organizations, 150 government and local authorities, 1600 community members, adolescents and students

Approach

• Community Engagement: GBV awareness campaigns in schools, universities, and among vulnerable groups (e.g., people with disabilities, sex workers).
• Capacity Building: Training of 100 professionals, ToT for volunteers, international exchanges, and contextualization of SOPs.
• Service Improvement: Support to BoWSA shelter (materials, staff, renovation), enhanced referral systems, income-generating projects.
• Reintegration Support: Business skills training, mentorship, seed funding, and long-term rehabilitation for 30 women survivors.

Expected outcome

• Increased awareness and reporting of GBV cases among community members, particularly youth
• Enhanced quality and coordination of services for GBV survivors
• Strengthened institutional capacity for long-term GBV prevention and response
• Empowered women survivors with economic independence and skills for reintegration
• Sustainable systems in place for continuous support and service provision post-project

Timeline
July 2024 – June 2026 (24 months)

Call to Action (CTA)

Business owners can support by mentoring women survivors engaged in income-generating activities, purchasing their products, or offering sales platforms. Raise awareness about GBV in your community. Involve men in the conversation and encourage them to become advocates. Help amplify our message by promoting our campaigns on your social media.

Donor
the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the City of Villeurbanne; and the French Embassy to Ethiopia and to the African Union

Target Area
Dire Dawa – Ethiopia