Implemented from 2021 to March 2023 in partnership with FAWE Ethiopia, with financial support from UK Aid, the Embassies of Sweden and Ireland, and the Royal Norwegian Embassy through the British Council (Civil Society Support Program Phase II), this project aimed to strengthen community responses to gender-based violence and increase women’s participation in leadership and decision-making.

Pro Pride implemented the project in eleven kebeles of the Dire Dawa City Administration (nine urban and two rural), while FAWE Ethiopia led implementation in five kebeles of Debre Berhan and three kebeles of Sheno and Aleltu in the Oromia Region.

Major activities included:

• Producing and broadcasting radio programs on FM Dire and FM 97.1 to raise awareness and promote community action against GBV.
• Conducting community dialogues and conversation sessions among women and men to discuss barriers to women’s and girls’ rights and identify inclusive, community-driven solutions.
• Providing technical and financial support to women’s organizations to enhance their participation in leadership and advocacy.
• Delivering capacity-building trainings for members and leaders of WROs/CSOs, OPDs, media professionals, and law enforcement officers on gender, GBV, and gender-sensitive reporting.
• Supporting women’s rights organizations in organizing campaigns to challenge harmful social norms that perpetuate gender inequality.

Community members recognized the value of the dialogue platform and transformed the conversation groups into self-help groups, ensuring the sustainability of the initiative.

Pro Pride also worked with local government offices and women’s rights organizations to promote coordinated action against GBV and to strengthen women’s political participation.

The project concluded with a close-out meeting in March 2023, where stakeholders reflected on the project’s achievements and its contribution to transforming negative gender norms, enhancing collaboration, and promoting women’s empowerment and protection from violence.