However, the YWCA provides its services to all members of society regardless of gender, ethnic origin, religious affiliation and nationality. The YWCA in Ethiopia is an affiliate of the World YWCA which develops women’s leadership to find local solutions to the global inequalities women face and unites 25 million women and girls in over 125 countries through 100 affiliated autonomous national YWCA
s. The Ethiopian YWCA was initially founded in 1962 near the Ras-Mekonnen Bridge in Addis Ababa in a building made available to the movement by Princess Tegnagnework Haile Selassie. The YWCA of Ethiopia had its home in this building for ten years. The YWCA of Ethiopia obtained a certificate from the Security Department of the then Ministry of Interior in 1963 authorizing it to operate as a legal association. The YWCA of Ethiopia has provided useful educational and recreational activities. In addition, YWCA-Ethiopia has been involved in various skill programs for young girls and women. When the military government took control of the political establishment in 1976, it wiped the YWCA off the face of the country by closing its offices, by confiscating its property, including land, and by ransacking its documents and possessions. With a change in the political system in the country the determined former staff and members of YWCA were able to ensure the revitalization of YWCA of Ethiopia. Accordingly, the Association secured its legal status for the second time in 2000 after registering with the Ministry of Justice of Ethiopia. Currently, the YWCA of Ethiopia is working for and promoting women and young girl’s empowerment through its core intervention focuses of Economic and Social Empowerment, Sexual Reproductive Health and HIV and AIDS Prevention, Girls Education, and Youth Development. Vision:
To see a vibrant society where women and girls are empowered and developed. Mission:
The YWCA endeavors to create socio –economic empowerment and self-reliance of women and girls for the attainment of a better life for women regardless of their ethnic, religious background or physical impairment through its youth development, economic and social programs and environmental protection activities with all stakeholders. Values:
YWCA embraces the World YWCA values and principles as indicated below. Principles we value:
▪ Our worldwide solidarity as a women’s volunteer membership movement
▪ Diversity, inclusiveness, tolerance and mutual respect
▪ Integrity and responsible accountability
Action we value:
▪ The self-determination of women and girls in all areas of life
▪ The teaching Life skill which improves the status of women and children around the world
▪ The care of the environment, care for the elderly and children
Target groups:
The YWCA principally targets women and girls; however, within the target groups it gives priority to disadvantaged, marginalized, disabled and poor groups of women and girls. Objectives:
The following are the major objectives of the Association:
a) To facilitate: provision of vocational training and other capacity building programs for women to empower them economically and socially; conditions for their access to information and services to improve their knowledge of reproductive health; provision of education to young women to help them become self-confident ; conditions for young women to participate in voluntary programs ;
b) To design programs that will keep and increase the number of the Members and also benefits
c) To Coordinate its activities with NGOs having similar objectives and government institutions;
d) To participate in the poverty reduction program of the Country;
e) To enable the youth to protect themselves from reproductive health problems by helping them know more about reproductive health through being in amateur sport clubs to be organized for them ;
f) To provide education on reproductive health to physically disabled women and also improve their economic status;
g) To enable women and youth to have access to information about environmental protection so that they can participate in protecting the environment in their day to day activities; also to include environmental protection in YWCA programs.
