Support Self-Help Groups for Women in Ethiopia

Hope for Justice has economically empowered vulnerable women in Ethiopia through our Self-Help Groups to ensure they can sustain their families. By improving their financial skills and saving and taking loans, these women have established small businesses in their communities, reducing the risk factors that lead to child trafficking. The women who participated in our Self-Help Groups were also educated on human trafficking, human rights, safeguarding and child protection.

The generous support from our donors makes it possible to continue our mission to eradicate human trafficking and empower women like Meselech.

A mother-of-four, Meselech shared how her participation in one of our Self-Help Groups has transformed her family’s future. She said: “The Self-Help Group is helping me to fulfil my children’s needs. Ever since I attended the first meeting, I have been contributing to the group’s savings. In addition to my saving, I have received training from Hope for Justice, which helped me understand my potential and to enhance my skills.”

While Meselech was saving, she took up a vocational training opportunity to learn how to run a small-scale business which she described as “eye-opening.” Hope for Justice also provided her with parenting education courses. When she saved enough money, she was able to apply for a loan, which she then used to buy and sell butter at her local market to earn a living.

She added: “With this support, I am hopeful that my dreams will come true in the near future.” Meselech has become a role model in the group and has improved her economic situation which means she is able to buy school materials for her children.

Thank you for your ongoing support and for making our work possible.

Hope for Justice’s Self-Help Groups in Ethiopia have equipped vulnerable women with the tools and knowledge they need to provide for themselves and their families. We have empowered these women by teaching them how to save and take loans to establish small businesses, ensuring they build economic resilience and stability to protect themselves and their families from predatory traffickers.

In addition to economic empowerment, our Self-Help Groups have also trained and educated these vulnerable women in financial literacy, human trafficking, human rights, safeguarding and child protection.

The generous support from our donors makes it possible to continue our mission to eradicate human trafficking and empower women like Addisie.

With eight children to feed, 33-year-old Addisie was struggling to make ends meet. When she heard about one of our Self-Help Group operating in her community, she decided to join. Addisie said: “Previously, I had no knowledge of saving. I used to bake only a small amount of enjera (flatbread) for only the people around me.”

Over the last few months, Addisie has gradually contributed more to her group’s savings and been introduced to small business skills and financial management training. She took out a loan and scaled up her enjera-baking activity. She now sells enjera at the local market and has also started making containers for the flatbread to expand her business. Addisie continues: “Now, I have Ekub (local savings) side by side with my group, and this has made me very strong. I am motivated, gained strength and started giving more attention to my future plans.”

“Furthermore, it is a great guarantee that the money my group saved is deposited in the bank. I am very confident that my children will continue their education and be protected from exploitation and trafficking.”