WHO WE ARE:

ADDIS ABABA WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION

Establishment

Addis Ababa city women’s Association (AAWA) is a non-partisan, non-for profit and non-governmental legally registered Women’s Right Organization established in March 1998 aiming at empowering women in social, political and economic spheres in Addis Ababa.

Vision

AAWA envisages a city where by equal opportunity and participation is ensured, discriminatory practices are curbed and women’s rights are exercised

Mission

AAWA is a non – for – profit and non – governmental women’s right organization committed to empowering women in Social, Economic and Political spheres to realize and exercise their holistic rights

Major Objective

• Organizational: Building the operational capacity of AAWA through development of adequate Human, financial and material resources along with technical skills & working system and enhancing women's membership and networking
• Programmatic: Women Empowerment programs  in Social, economic and political spheres to realize and exercise their holistic rights

Governance and Structure

The general assembly being the highest organ, the association is governed by a Board elected out of theAAWA councilwho is the supreme policy makers and closely monitors AAWA’s performance. The executive Committee (11 sub city and 4 AAWA head office leaders) are responsible for implementing the policy and the day to day activities of the association.

The association's structure stretches from the grass root ketenas to 121Woredas, the 11 sub cities to the head office at regional level making it accessible to reach the women at the grass root level easily and to work closely among governmental and NGOs at all levels (Vertical and Horizontal relationship)

Membership

• Women regular members                       445,000+
• Male associate members            41,000+

Thematic areas  (Gender Transformative approach)

1. Studies and documentation: studies on the status of women’s human right violation in Addis Ababa for an evidence based intervention

2. Challenging Social Norms : Public awareness building and mobilization campaigns and other activities to break the silence about RH/FP, HTP, HIV/AIDS and GBV and change attitudes of individuals, families and community members to realize and contribute so that  women can exercise their human and reproductive  rights.

3. Changing Policy and Practice: Lobby and advocacy for legal and policy support and changes; intended to fight gender based violence and harmful traditional practices and promote women’s reproductive health and rights affecting women’s health and position in society.
4. Curbing GBVand discriminatory actions are curbed

             4.1 Prevention;         Working among all stakeholders 

             4.2 Advocacy:           On the implementation of the law against GBV

             4.3 Temporary shelter service:           For vulnerable GBV survivor women aimed at rehabilitation from the trauma suffered, protection of human right and  for peaceful future life. Services include Food/Lodging, Psychosocial support, Legal support, medical service, sanitation and trainings (Since 2015)

5. Economic Empowerment:  Enhancing Self-employment through provision of Skill training, financial service and engagement in sustainable self - employment
                5.1. Skill training: In partnership with government and NGO organizations providing skill training.
                5.2 Saving & Credit cooperative: Providing financial service along with enhancing saving culture

6. Education:
                6.1  Adult literacy Education for women
                6.2  Civic Education: Enhance women’s participation in building democracy and good governance through civic/voter education and social accountability programs
                6.3  KG Education: for resource poor children and orphan (OVC). (Running 2 KG schools)
                6.4  University girls: Educationmaterial Support including laptop computers for resource poor university level girls