The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) conducted an awareness-raising workshop for informal women’s organizations working on women’s rights on June 18 and 19, 2026, in Addis Ababa. The workshop aimed to enhance the capacity of informal women’s organizations to carry out their responsibilities in alignment with human rights principles.
The workshop convened leaders of volunteer committees established by the Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association at zonal and woreda levels, and representatives from the Afar, Amhara, Benishangul-Gumuz, Central Ethiopia, Oromia, Sidama, Somali, South Ethiopia, and Southwest Ethiopia regions.
Presentations and discussions covered the nature of gender-based violence and human rights, reception of complaints submitted by vulnerable groups, basic principles of investigation procedures, interviewing techniques for women and children who have suffered human rights violations, trauma-informed response mechanisms, and matters related to strengthening and supporting the informal organizations’operations.
During the discussions, participants shared instances of gender-based violence occurring in their respective localities and the challenges they encounter in their operational activities. They also noted that the intervention of local elders, inadequate information, procedural framework gaps, limited capacity of receiving complaints, and constraints in the response mechanisms of relevant stakeholders are among operational limitations.
EHRC Commissioner for Women and Children’s Rights, Ashenefech Abebe, stated the importance of adopting and implementing the draft Proclamation prepared to reinforce the National Free Legal Aid Strategy in order to ensure the provision of quality, efficient, and accessible legal aid services to vulnerable groups. She explained the vital role of the legal aid services provided by informal women’s structures, particularly for the protection of women’s and children’s rights. She further urged that these services need to be strengthened and human rights-oriented.