Budgeting for Inequality: The Decline in Gender-Responsive State Spending for Socio-Economic Rights in Ethiopia and Uganda

This Briefing Paper examines the decline in gender-responsive public spending in Ethiopia and Uganda, showing how current budget priorities are undermining the socio-economic rights of women and girls, particularly in health, education, and social protection, and highlighting the gap
From Catcalling to Femicide: A New Year’s Call for Justice to Protect Women’s Rights in Ethiopia

Despite the Ethiopian Constitution’s affirmation of gender equality and the existence of laws designed to protect women, violence against women continues to rise at an alarming rate. This crisis is perpetuated by distorted interpretations of religious teachings that justify harmful practices, alongside significant gaps in accountability and weak enforcement within the justice system.
Unsafe and Unheard: Women Market Vendors Demand Social Protection and Economic Justice

Women market vendors (WMVs) sustain households, feed communities, and power local economies, often as primary breadwinners and caregivers. Yet, the spaces that depend on their labour remain perilous and poorly governed.
Across nine (9) markets in Arua City, the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) Network’s recen
Statement by the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA Network) on Ethiopia – (no. OBS/433)

Your Excellency, Honourable Commissioner Mudford Zachariah Mwandenga,
The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) is a regional feminist network with over 200 member organizations working across South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia, and the Somali region. We welcome this opportunity to address the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) this session.
We wish to bring to your attention the deeply worrying situation of women and girls in Ethiopia.
Statement Submitted by the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa Network for the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women

The Horn of Africa region has a history of complex peace and security issues driven by governance challenges and regional geopolitics, leading to prolonged and renewed cycles of conflicts. As a result, the region has seen high levels of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) against women and girls. Statistics show that 42% of women in the region have experienced some form of physical or…
YOUR GUIDE TO SEXUAL CONSENT AND ASSUALT

Consent is not just a buzzword.
DidYouKnow April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month?
Read more to learn
NATIONAL CALL FOR JUSTICE

Gender Based Violence (GBV) remains a pressing concern in Ethiopia, as highlighted by an Online Survey conducted by SIHA Network in August 2024 with 84 respondents from diverse backgrounds. The survey, which informed the Network’s advocacy strategy for Ethiopia, revealed that 54.8% of respondents consider GBV the most critical issue for women’s rights advocates.
Illuminating shadows: The untold impact of the Sudan conflict on Ethiopian and Eritrean Refugees
The Sudan conflict isn’t just affecting its citizens, Ethiopian and Eritrean refugees are bearing the brunt too! For decades, Sudan hosted refugees fleeing conflict and persecution from their countries, including over 125,000 Eritreans and 69,500 Ethiopians.
Press Statement: Ethiopian women speak out on conflict and peace in the country

We are a diverse group of women from various parts of Ethiopia who promote women’s rights advancements and sustainable peace and security in our country.
Since women play a significant role in nation building and peace-making processes, we would like to articulate our concerns, present our demands and make recommendations in light of the current worrying situation in the country.
Women human rights defenders from Somalia and Ethiopia awarded for their astounding work

SUPPORT SIHA’S WORK ACROSS THE REGION Fadwo Hassan Jimale, a women rights activist working with the Somali Women and Child Care Association in Somalia and Teyiba Yassin of the Yitawek Timret Coalition in Ethiopia scooped the SIHA Women Human Rights Defenders’ Awards – 2021. They were both awarded at colourful ceremonies in their respective countries for their demonstration of […]