Ethiopian Women's and Girl's Empowerment through Education and Reproductive Health Knowledge and Access to Services

With funding from the Packard Foundation, this project sought to improve girls’ education, increase awareness of reproductive rights, educate girls and women about reproductive health, and improve awareness of and access to appropriate, quality health services. Pathfinder worked with three regional women’s associations to address critical issues such as reducing harmful traditional practices including child marriage and female genital cutting; reducing gender-based violence; promoting peer education related to improved health practices; and providing scholarships to girls with the potential to become leaders in their communities.

This project, now closed, sensitized more than four million people, including education and community leaders, about the benefits of girls’ education, delayed marriage, family planning and RH services, and elimination of harmful traditional practices. The project also developed and implemented a peer mentor and role model program, which created meaningful opportunities for lasting changes in behavior. The project achieved its high level of success as a result of well-coordinated efforts between Pathfinder, local implementing partners, the local communities, and government stakeholders.