Support Self-Help Groups for Women in Ethiopia

 My name is Adina*. I am 35 years old, a mother, and a widow. I completed my education up to Grade 8, but like many women in my community, I faced significant challenges after the passing of my husband. Raising children alone in a rural setting is difficult, especially when there is limited access to economic opportunities and community support. Before I joined the Self-Help Group (SHG) through the Hope for Justice program, my understanding of financial savings, social dialogue, and child protection was very limited. I did not know the importance of regularly saving money, participating in community meetings, or openly discussing issues such as child protection, safeguarding, gender equality, or positive parenting. My days were focused only on survival—feeding my children, finding temporary work, and worrying about the future. In our area, child trafficking and the recruitment of children for domestic work were pressing issues. Some community members acted as recruiters, moving children from one place to another and supplying them as laborers to households. Many of these children were underage and deprived of education, safety, and dignity. Sadly, these harmful practices were rarely questioned or challenged, largely due to a lack of awareness.

My turning point came when I became a member of an SHG organized by the Hope for Justice Community Prevention Programme. Through regular meetings, I was introduced to vital knowledge and skills that I had never accessed before. I learned about the importance of saving and how even small amounts saved consistently could help build a financial foundation for the future. We were encouraged to meet regularly, discuss not only our finances but also important social issues affecting our families and community. Each SHG session became a source of strength and learning.

We explored topics like positive parenting, child protection, human trafficking, modern slavery, and women’s participation in decision-making. I began to understand the power of community dialogue and the importance of protecting our children from exploitation. These discussions gave me confidence and purpose. I was no longer isolated—I felt seen, heard, and empowered. The SHG members supported each other in building small businesses, and I was inspired to take my first step into entrepreneurship. I applied for and received a loan through the SHG, which gave me the capital I needed to start a small poultry business. With the money, I bought hens and materials to build a chicken breeding centre behind my home.

Today, I am proud to say that my chicken breeding centre is thriving. I now have 145 hens, and poultry farming has become my main source of income. It has not only allowed me to meet the daily needs of my family, but it has also given me the confidence to plan for the future. I am currently repaying my loan on time, and my children are enrolled in school consistently—with proper uniforms and school supplies. Through the knowledge I gained in the SHG, I am now actively involved in raising awareness in my community about the dangers of child trafficking and the importance of safeguarding children’s rights. I speak up in community meetings and encourage other women to join SHGs, save regularly, and start their own small businesses. I no longer see myself as a helpless widow—I see myself as a leader, a protector, and a provider.

*Name changed to protect identity.