Ethiopian Women Lawyers association (EWLA)

From October 29-30, 2024, Ethiopian Women Lawyers’ Association (EWLA) in partnership with The David & Lucile Packard Foundation had conducted a multi-stakeholder advocacy workshop on: Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in Addis Ababa. In her welcoming remark, the Executive Directress of the Ethiopian Women Lawyers' Association, Lensa Biyena, said that the Association has been contributing for the legislation process for the past 29 years by identifying gaps in the law related to women's rights, showing them to the legislative and participating in the process of drafting laws. She added that despite various advocacy efforts, there are still gaps in the implementation of policies. The executive directress also urged the participants to apply and share the knowledge they have gained from this platform when they return to their respective organizations and to advocate for Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights; so that society can understand and benefit from them. The workshop aims to strengthen initiatives, gather evidence, and drive legal reforms. Therefore, the workshop highlighted key legal aspects related to SRHR, reproductive health, family planning, Gender-Based Violence, adolescent health and maternal well-being, etc. The platform brought together a diverse group of key stakeholders including higher government officials from Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, civil society organizations, healthcare providers, educators, and media representatives to foster collaboration and strategic action in advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. #EWLA #The David &Lucile Packard Foundation #SRHR #Advocacy #Ethiopia #Collaborative strategies for advancing SRHR in Ethiopia

Continuing its commitment towards tangible actions that ensures women land rights, Ethiopian Women Lawyers’ Association (EWLA) in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Ethiopia conducted a Forum on Women’s Land Rights o under the S4HL project, on October 29, 2024, in Addis Ababa. The forum facilitated a comprehensive analysis of findings from community dialogues, highlighting critical themes, challenges, and opportunities in women's land rights. Key stakeholders, advocates, and experts gathered to address the challenges women face in accessing and owning land. They shared valuable insights and experiences, fostering cross-sector collaboration and identifying best practices and successful interventions. The discussion shed light on the importance of securing land rights for women to empower them economically and socially; and ended in a set of practical recommendations for policymakers and practitioners, aimed at advancing women's land rights across various region, thereby laying the groundwork for more equitable land governance and empowering women in their communities. #WomenEmpowerment #LandRights #S4HL #Habitat for Humanity Ethiopia #GenderEquality #EmpoweringWomenThrough Land Rights!

Coming Soon; Women Peace and Security Event

On October 28, 2024, Ethiopian Women Lawyers’ Association (EWLA), in partnership with UNICEF, provided awareness raising training on Self-court representation to women receiving legal assistance through Jinka town Women and Children's Office. The training was aimed at providing women who are receiving legal support and follow up on how to represent themselves in court without a lawyer and to equip them with the legal knowledge they need to get justice. In this training, issues like: writing case application and the principles of procedural law that should be included in the case application, summoning, presentation of case, ways of handling case argument and how they should be argued, the types and presentation of evidence, Period of limitation, complaints and appeals, claim for inheritance and contract to be rejected and other legal issues as well as court debate procedures were presented, explained and discussed. Following the presentation, various questions were raised and responses and explanations were given from the forum, and the participants reflected that they had gained the knowledge to represent themselves in court. #EWLA #UNICEF #SelfCourtRepresentation #StopGBV

As part of the Stand For Her Land (S4HL) project, Ethiopian Women Lawyers’ Association (EWLA) in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Ethiopia, had conducted coffee ceremonies to cascade Women Land rights related information for members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in Bishftu, Adama and fitch zones. The plat form was aimed to strengthen the grassroots women on women basic rights in general and women land rights in particular.  In the meantime, on October 24, 2024, Awareness-raising training on women empowerment and legal literacy on land rights was conducted in Benishangul Gumuz region, Assosa. The aim of this training was to raise women's awareness of legal literacy on their Land rights. The trainings enhanced participants' understanding of land rights legislation, improved their confidence in claiming their rights, and equipped them with informed decisions regarding land ownership and usage. #EWLA #S4HL #Bishoftu #Adama #Fiche #Assosa #HabitatforHumanityEthiopia #WomenLandRights #SHG

On October 24th, 2024, the Ethiopian Women Lawyers’ Association (EWLA) in partnership with the European Union (EU), organized a multi-stakeholder dialogue and consultation meeting as part of the EAGLE-Project. This initiative focused on enhancing the human rights of survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) by facilitating their access to justice and vital support services in Amhara region, North Wollo zone, Woldiya City. The main objective of this dialogue was to convene a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from law enforcement agencies, healthcare providers, one-stop service centers, the justice sector, and local community leaders. Participants together, engaged in meaningful discussions about the pressing issue of SGBV and worked collaboratively to formulate actionable recommendations that could effectively address this critical concern. Throughout the meeting, participants identified various barriers that hinder women and girls in North Wollo, Woldiya City, Amhara region from accessing justice and essential support services. In response to these discussions, stakeholders collectively developed a strategic action plan aimed at dismantling these obstacles. #EWLA #EU- EAGLE-Project #EnhancinghumanrightsofSGBV #Accesstojusticeandvitalsupportservices

Ethiopian Women Lawyers’ Association (EWLA) had participated in the 14th Pan African Lawyers Union #PALU2024 Conference started in October 14, 2024 in Addis Ababa, African Union Headquarters.  During the conference, participants discussed the ongoing improvements in Ethiopia’s justice system as a result of recent reforms, the unlawful trials of African individuals under suppressive regimes and strengthening attorneys across Africa through collective efforts among bar associations, etc. As a side event, Institute for African Women In Law (IAWL) in collaboration with Equality Now & Pan African Lawyers’ Union (PALU) had organized a round Table discussion on: Promoting Gender Equality In The Legal Profession Across Africa; the discussion session was held on October 18, 2024 in Skylight Hotel, Addis Ababa, In this round table discussion, the executive directress of EWLA, Lensa Biyena, had facilitated a session on: The role of individuals and bar associations. #EWLA #IAWL #PALU2024 #PromotingGenderEqualityInTheLegalProfessionAcrossAfrica #Ethiopia #Justice #AU #AfricanLaw

On October 2, 2024, the Ethiopian Women Lawyers’ Association (EWLA) in collaboration with the European Union (EU) had organized a multi-stakeholder dialogue and consultation meeting as part of the EAGLE-Project. This initiative focused on enhancing the human rights of survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) by facilitating their access to justice and vital support services in Awash-7, Afar region. The main objective of this dialogue was to convene a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from law enforcement agencies, healthcare providers, one-stop service centers, the justice sector, and local community leaders. Together, the participants engaged in meaningful discussions about the pressing issue of SGBV and worked collaboratively to formulate actionable recommendations that could effectively address this critical concern. In their stay at the meeting, participants identified various barriers that hinder women and girls in Awash-7, Afar region from accessing justice and essential support services. In response to these discussions, stakeholders collectively developed a strategic action plan aimed at dismantling these obstacles. #EWLA #EU- EAGLE-Project #EnhancinghumanrightsofSGBV #Accesstojusticeandvitalsupportservices

On Sept. 25, 2024, Ethiopian Women Lawyers’ Association (EWLA) in collaboration with Terre des Hommes, has conducted a Round Table Discussion with stakeholders on She Leads project accomplishments and future actions in Bahir Dar. The Purpose of this platform was to discuss with key stakeholders, beneficiaries and partners on reviewing the project’s accomplishment status, challenges and future actions, and to strengthen collaboration with project stakeholders and partners. Representatives and from partners, CSOs working on women rights and empowerment, GYWS as well as government stakeholders including the Law re- enforcement organs had participated in the discussion. The She Leads project nine months’ accomplishments and the role of stakeholders and community members in the prevention of GBV was presented followed by discussion by participants. Finally, summary of discussion points, way forwards and Action points were taken. The discussion platform will be expected to enhance effectiveness of project implementation and strengthened collaboration with project stakeholders and partners. #EWLA #TDH #SheLeads