The Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA) is a non-partisan and non-governmental network established in 2003 by a group of women seeking to create synergy and stronger advocacy voice for women’s advancement; it was established by 13 local associations and organizations. By 2009, NEWA had reached a membership of 42 organizations and associations working for women and children. NEWA’s and its members’ intervention and support reaches and covers women in almost all regions of the country and two regional administrations, Ababa Ababa and Dire Dawa, enabling enabling NEWA to represent a national voice for women.
Pursuant to the former Charities and Societies Law, all organizations, including both NEWA and its 42 members, were required to re-register as “Ethiopian Societies” or “Ethiopian Resident Societies” or “Ethiopian Charitable Societies,” depending on whether their priority was to advocate for rights or to provide services and/or depending on whether they need to continue to be able to receive international source funds for most of their work. As a result, NEWA was divided into two networks/consortiums –those members who wished to continue to advocate for rights and were willing to face restrictions on receiving international funds; and the other for those choosing to focus on services and unable to accept restrictions on receiving international funds. This wise and strategic decision allow all of NEWA’s former members to continue to enjoy the benefits of having and collaborating through networks, and also to be able to continue working either on rights or services.
he Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA) became an Ethiopian Consortium, with Ethiopian Societies committed to advocacy for rights as members; NEWA had 8 member associations and organizations. The consortium, the Union of Ethiopian Women Charitable Associations (UEWCA) that has derived from NEWA, was formed as a consortium of Ethiopian Resident Charitable Societies providing social services but not advocating for rights; UEWCA has then a membership of 33 organizations.
However, recently following the new Charities and Societies Law, there are 35 member associations under NEWA. These members comprise associations and non-governmental organizations whose primary focus is on women’s issues and the rights of girl-child, ranging from the rights of livelihood to development related issues.
NEWA’s goal is twofold: synchronizing the individual activities of women associations into an integrated collective effort and synergy to realize their common aspirations for gender equality, and launching a vigorous public campaign of promotion, advocacy, and lobbying for women’s rights.
Saba G. Medhin
MISTIR ALEBACHEW
