The Ethiopia PSEA Network conducts trainings for over 200 PSEA focal points

During the last two weeks of January 2022, the Inter-Agency Ethiopia Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) ​Network conducted a PSEA training of trainers (ToT) for all PSEA focal points across Ethiopia. The PSEA focal points are appointed to the Ethiopia PSEA Network by their respective organizations and agencies in line with the UNCT and HCT endorsed PSEA strategy and workplan for Ethiopia.

The purpose of this training was to build the capacities of the 250+ PSEA focal points in Ethiopia, who are members of the ​inter-agency Ethiopia PSEA Network, which includes different United Nations (UN) ​entities, national and international NGOs, women-led CSOs, and government ​partners. With over 250 focal points attending from a range of sectoral backgrounds, across three cohorts, the ToT featured five online modules providing foundational information on a range of aspects of PSEA, including risk assessments, frameworks, survivor-centered approach, community-based complaints mechanisms, gender analysis, and adult learning design.

As part of the ToT, the PSEA focal points also attended five follow up online workshops, where case studies, group discussions, creative team activities, and thought-provoking questions were used to promote dialogue and learning among participants. The facilitated workshops aligned with the modules and were designed to further familiarize participants with their roles and responsibilities as PSEA focal points and as members of the Ethiopia PSEA Network.

In addition to ensuring their familiarity with and understanding of key concepts, core principles and practical steps and practices for PSEA, the ToT also equipped PSEA focal points to deliver contextualized PSEA trainings to staff in their respective organizations and agencies, as well as other actors who are involved in the delivery of assistance to affected populations in Ethiopia, such as inter-agency clusters and working groups. Hence, as a follow up, all trainers that attended the ToT, are now due to deliver their own PSEA trainings as well as ensuring that the PSEA Code of Conduct is signed, with the first training already underway in Mekelle Tigray, organised by UNICEF, UNHCR and Save the Children International, and supported by UN Women.

The training package of the facilitated sessions is available online, both as an interactive training on the Kaya humanitarian learning platform (course ID: HLADLSUNWomenWinter2022), and on YouTube. The training materials can also be accessed via this link (humanitarianresponse.info). The training package is currently available in Amharic, Oromiffa, Tigrigna and Somali.