Support Self-Help Groups for Women in Ethiopia

As the end of 2023 is approaching, Hope for Justice would like to thank all our generous donors for supporting our mission to eradicate human trafficking and empower survivors to live in freedom throughout 2023. Last year, we reached 203,352 people across the globe – the most we have ever supported.

The generosity of our donors has enabled Hope for Justice to support over 9,000 women in Ethiopia through our Self-Help Groups to build socio-economic resilience against predatory traffickers and their deceitful tactics.

Feyisa Tefera, our Director of Programmes in Ethiopia, said: “The 456 active Ethiopian Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) meet regularly on a weekly basis, save money, provide loans to members, engage in different Income Generation Activities (IGAs) and repay their loans. On their meetings, they also discuss other psychosocial issues like human trafficking and modern slavery, positive parenting skills, gender equality and equity, safeguarding and protection, and harmful traditional practices. Women are becoming economically empowered; psychosocially aware and capacitated; mentally and emotionally resilient; with more social cohesion. They support their families, especially their kids to continue formal education while reducing vulnerability.”

Indeed, our Self-Help Groups have been vital in ensuring that women who were struggling economically could find a more prosperous future for themselves and their families. These are some testimonies of the women we have supported this year:

“I have four children and my husband died a few years ago. After he died, life has not been easy for us. I was forced to stop running a coffee shop we had due to financial problems. When Hope for Justice started training for women in our kebele (Ethiopian ward), I got the chance to be a member and get the trainings. After saving some amount with the group, I was able to take some loans and reopen my coffee shop. Currently, my business is growing, my children are going to school, and I am so hopeful that tomorrow is bright. Thank you all for investing in us.”

“I did not have any business skills, nor did I know about group business before I joined the SHG. After Hope for Justice provided various trainings, I started saving little by little, then I started doing small businesses — like selling butter, coffee, and the like. Now, I am gaining some profit. With the profit, I am feeding my children and improving my life. In addition to that, in collaboration with women in the group, we have bought butter and sold it for good profit. We are also purchasing and storing more butter for the Christmas holiday season. I believe that by doing that we save our children from slavery and exploitation and give them a better future through education. Thanks all.”