Six years ago, Shume Ulfina, 24, came from Ambo, a rural town in West Shewa Zone of Oromia region, to Legetafo, a small town in the outskirts of Addis Ababa seeking employment opportunities. She was employed as a laborer in a private construction company with a monthly wage of 750 Birr ($30). Her husband, Misgana Berecha, whom she met at work has similar story as hers. With better work experience, Misgana used to earn 1,200 birr ($50).  Despite the intensive labour work, their income never met their basic needs, even declined when she left her job to give birth to their first child and couldn’t go back to the same job being on a temporary worker. “When the local government called unemployed youth to engage in self-employment activities, my husband and I enthusiastically registered with a desire to change our lives. Through the self-employment initiative, 1000 m2/0.1 hectare land was leased to us, but we neither had financial resource to clean up the land nor the basic skills to start gardening for income generation.” Seeing her need, a family friend directed Shume to one of UN Women’s partners in Ethiopia, Organization for Women in Self Employment (WISE) and things started to change. “First, I took part in a ten-day training on life skill and basic business skills that I practically apply in managing the land and the household duties collaboratively with my husband.  I then became member of the cooperative and qualified to borrow 3,000birr(55USD). Adding the 1,500birr given to me as allowance during the training, we managed to clean up the land, purchase basic tools, vegetable seeds and other inputs for planting, my husband and I were hardly seen out of the farmstead, taking care of it with a passion to see the result.” Shume added. When the cooperative called for a business plan competition for cash award, Shume applied on expansion of the vegetable plantation and won the first place; 40,000birr(850USD).  This helped them to continue providing inputs for better management of the land including a power generator for irrigation, which enabled them to access water from the nearby stream.  “We are now at the beginning of harvesting and selling stage. In the last two weeks alone, we sold vegetables worth over 6,0000birr. When we fully start to supply retailers, this will keep growing.   Our aim is to expand as the land has the potential for beehives keeping and establishment of a recreational facility next to the water stream. Being close to the main road, we believe it will attract the public.” Shume concluded. Emebet Gashaw, an internally displaced mother of two in Legetafo is another women reached by the ISEE Project . Emebet was in Jijiga, Somali region preparing to take matriculation exam in 2018 when, a conflict erupted in the region. She had to leave the city with other displaced people. After moving to internally displaced settlement in Legetafo, Emebet started selling Injera, the staple diet in the country, using cash provided by the government. As a new site, demand was very high, and she was succeeding until she fell ill which made her to take a break.  “By the time I felt better, many women have already started to sell Injera and I switched to keeping chicken for eggs. While I was using some of the money I saved from selling the eggs, I heard about the support being given by, Women in Self Employment (WISE) and registered. After registering at WISE, Emebet first took a ten-day training including on basic business and life skills followed by 3,000birr( 55USD ) loan as well as a cash award; 30,000birr(545USD) for the business plan she presented applying the skill attained. She opened a retail shop with consumers’ goods. Using the skill gained, she also diversified the business by reviving the chickens keeping and aiming to add charcoal trade so as not to take the risk of depending on one, which she thinks has contributed to her failures in the past.  Emebet underlined that beyond the financial service, the training has benefited her more, “In the past business activities I tried, money wasn’t a big challenge as my parents had the capacity to provide. I think one of the reasons for failing was lack of skill to manage. The training on life skill was even more beneficial; after all, whatever we do is to properly live and if we do not have the skill to better live in whatever circumstances, holding a university degree alone may not always bring a success.” According to Mr. Djaleta Berhanu, Project Manager for Integrated and Sustainable Economic Empowerment Initiative (ISEE), the project’s approach has not only unleashed the potential of people like Shume and her husband, but it also assists to identify the gaps and the support they need for expansion. “I believe that everyone has a potential to make a living if timely skill and access to finance is provided. I believe sustaining and expanding the results of this urban irrigation farming project requires more training and technical assistance. As a Project Manager, I am committed to constantly providing the support to them and others to achieve their economic empowerment goals.” Regarding the project’s approach in making a difference on the targeted women’s lives, Ms. Meseret Birhanu, Head of Legetafo -Legedadhi Sub City’s Women and Social Affairs said, “we have many development partners working on Women and Social Affairs, but I have a unique appreciation for the ISEE project.” “It targets disadvantaged women who have financial and psychosocial challenges. It addresses the women’s challenges by equipping them with wholistic skill to change themselves with confidence and determination. This should be strengthened and continued to reach out more women.” Integrated and Sustainable Economic Empowerment Initiative (ISEE) Project, implemented by Organization for Women in Self Employment (WISE) in collaboration with UN Women, facilitates provision of basic business and life skills trainings to enable women generate business ideas, assess their businesses, limitations and opportunities in their locality while equipping them with life skill trainings for effective communication, problem-solving, self-esteem and effective teamwork. ISEE project, implemented since 2021, has reached over 800 beneficiaries is funded by UN Women strategic note (2021-2025) donors: the Government of Netherlands, Government of Norway and Government of Sweden.

UNDP has partnered with the Government of Ethiopia and the European Union (EU) to kick off an interdisciplinary learning event on Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Adaptation into Development. The event is taking place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 3-6 October 2023, and is financially supported through the EU’s “Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance and Recovery Capacities project”, which is a component of the Intra-African Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP) Natural Disaster Risk Reduction Programme funded under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF).  The knowledge event brought together mid-level government officials from federal and three selected Regional States namely Somali, Amhara and Oromia, representatives from the Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission, the Environment Protection Authority, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Planning and Development, and other sectors such as the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Urban & Infrastructure, Ministry of Water and Energy, the Addis Ababa University. This learning forum seeks to build capacities for risk-informed development by increasing understanding among decision-makers of the links between disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation and how to comprehensively and cohesively integrate these two practices into the development agenda to ensure resilience for sustainability. It further guides participants on how to organize the journey towards risk-informed development in an interdisciplinary and multi-sector manner, which eventually will expand to sectors, spaces and stakeholders in the country over time. In his opening remarks, Deputy Commissioner Nasibu Yasin of the Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission said “The realization of sustainable development for Ethiopia hinges on linking development activities and disaster risk management as two sides of the same coin. Sustainable development cannot be attained while climate change-induced disasters continue undermining the economic growth and social progress of the country”.  The Deputy Commissioner further noted that there is no sector which is immune to the impact of natural hazards, many of which are increasing in frequency and intensity due to the impact of climate change and many other factors. “Given the country's vision of building a resilient society and country, integrating disaster risk reduction and climate adaption into development plans and programmes is the best approach in reducing disaster and climate risk and its effect. Thus, this learning forum is one of the platforms worth participating in to learn and share experiences, said Deputy Commissioner Nasibu. Ms. Charu Bist, UNDP Ethiopia’s Deputy Resident Representative for Programmes, pointed out that the problem of risk management and development is closely linked, and climate change has only worsened the situation. She further explained that “In 2022 alone, the economic loss from disasters worldwide came to around 300 billion U.S. dollars, and for Africa, it is estimated that, on average, the region is expected to annually lose from 36 to 55 billion dollars from 2022 to 2030. The estimated adaptation finance needs are of similar magnitude”. Ms Charu further stressed the need for a new vision for development based on resilience building, the need for increased leadership commitment; and the need for working together on integrated approaches to disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, and development. The learning forum included presentations, panel discussions, group activities, and hands-on activities that allowed participants to draw lessons on integrating disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in the context of risk-informed development. Participants from FAO, UN-Habitat and IGAD facilitated sector-specific sessions.

Just before she and her family were displaced due to inter-communal conflict, in 2021, she experienced her first period. Gebeyanesh’s mother made what she would normally make for herself in their hometown of Aipapo, the traditional Gumuz sanitary materials made with tree bark and cloth. Within two weeks, they hosted a conventional party celebrating a young girl’s first menstruation. Men expressed interest in marrying Gebeyanesh, but her mother sent them away. Instead, she focused on teaching her daughter about proper care and providing her with traditional bark and sanitary materials. Not long after, conflict erupted in their community and drove Gebeyanesh and her family, along with many others to flee into the forest. Their home and everything in it was burned down. Without access to sanitary materials, both traditional and modern, the women suffered and relied on the river to wash up. Like the others, Gebeyanesh cut off strips of clothing from her dress and layered them inside her underwear. The women would use these homemade sanitary materials, and arrange leaves at the base of a tree and sit there. UNFPA, with funding from the People and Government of Japan, sought to alleviate this challenge by implementing a project that addressed Gender-based Violence (GBV) and Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) in conflict and COVID-19 affected districts in the Amhara and Benishangul-Gumuz Regions of Ethiopia. The project aimed to improve the health of vulnerable women, girls, adolescents, and youth by increasing access to and availability of quality GBV and SRH information and services. Particularly for women and girls living in an IDP camp, like Gebeyanesh and her mother, the project offered “Dignity Kits”. The kits contain essential items for women and girls to protect themselves and maintain hygiene and dignity in the face of natural disasters and crises. Each kit contains washable and disposable sanitary pads, underwear, toiletries, a whistle, and a solar-powered flashlight. Gebeyanesh likes the washable pads, explaining their comfort compared to traditional sanitary pads. "It is easy to maintain and we were provided with soap to wash it with," she says.           The women and girls also appreciated the bag the kit came in, the pads, and the flashlights. In the past, they used to make torches from grass when they had to go into the forest at night to change their pads. With their flashlights, they have an easier time at night, with the additional benefit of warding off possible attackers.    

The ITU ​Regional Development Forum for Africa (RDF-AFR) was held from 3 to 5 October 2023 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia under the theme “Digital transformation for a sustainable and equitable digital future:  Accelerating the implementation of the SDGs in Africa through digital transformation​". ​The event was organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and hosted by the Government of Ethiopia. It outlined the priorities, challenges, and opportunities to advance digital transformation in Africa and was attended by around 300 participants from 41 countries. An interactive High-level Ministerial/Executive session set the scene for the event, sharing a vision for digital transformation for a sustainable and equitable digital future in Africa with its people at the center. Participants exchanged experiences to build and create opportunities for further collaboration and implementation around common priorities, as expressed in the Regional Initiatives for Africa adopted at the World Telecommunication Development Conference in 2022. The urgency for action to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals was underscored, and participants highlighted how digital can be leveraged towards this goal. The Partner2Connect (P2C) Matchmaking Roundtables allowed participants to review and report on the implementation of announced pledges and committed to match country and regional needs with concrete solutions. The roundtables discussed and identified effective mechanisms to coordinate and collaborate for better and optimal use of resources that will bring high impact and sustainable development in Africa and beyond. The Forum also celebrated the Partner2Connect 800th pledge, submitted by SAP - an important milestone that brought the total financial value of pledges received to USD 31.88 billion made by 392 entities from 132 countries. Additional information about P2C is available here. “The Regional Development Forum for Africa provided a platform for stakeholders to meet face to face and discuss, exchange views and commit to collectively move the digital agenda with urgency to make universal and meaningful connectivity a reality, in a continent where 740 million people are still unconnected,” said Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau. “The Forum presented an opportunity for countries to present individual country priorities, and for the region to re-emphasize regional priorities, while partners expressed concrete commitments to operationalize their pledges for tangible outcomes that contribute to building a sustainable digital future.” “Ethiopia is committed to digital transformation, and we have made significant progress in recent years,” said H.E. Huria Ali Mahdi, State Minister to National ICT and Digital Economy Sector speaking on behalf of H.E. Belete Molla, Minister of Innovation and Technology, adding that, “The ITU Regional Development Forum for Africa is an important platform for us to discuss challenges and develop solutions.” “The Regional Development Forum brought together key stakeholders committed to connecting the unconnected and to the realization of the Regional Initiatives for Africa, approved at the ITU World Telecommunication Development Conference held in June 2022,” said Anne-Rachel Inné, ITU Regional Director for Africa. The full story and the official report of the Regional Development Forum for Africa is available here.