“Women now know that education is a weapon for change”

Tadelech Ribato is a Fuga women, a group often discriminated against in Ethiopian society.

She has been involved in our partner KMG’s programme to end discrimination and exclusion. KMG work within the community, raising awareness and prompting discussion to challenge harmful traditional practices:

“Before, polygamy used to be very common; now KMG has educated us and it is one man for one woman. Also KMG have helped us stop ‘wife inheritance’ – this was common because of the high rate of HIV and AIDS.”

They also work to build the self-confidence and leadership skills of women so that they can play an equal part in decision-making at home and in their village. Tadelech says:

“The women of our communities can now facilitate meetings, passing on our knowledge to others. We never dreamed that such change was possible. Women now know that education is a weapon for change and we are learning how to assert ourselves.”

Another strand of KMG’s work is providing women with the skills, training and resources to become financially independent.

“I have a goat and a chicken which I generate income from. As a woman I can say ‘this is mine’ and it brought me independence.”

The importance of this financial independence goes beyond making sure there’s food on the table – when women are economically empowered they are less vulnerable to violence and harmful traditional practices, and their opinions carry more weight in the community. Most importantly they are free to make their own decisions and determine their own lives.

This holistic approach which focuses on supporting women to transform their own lives and their communities is the key to KMG’s success.

Please make a donation today to help more women like Tadelech become independent.

Post by Lisa Jones