ADDIS ABABA – The construction of a Japanese-funded center for victims of gender-based violence (GBV) launched in Kaliti neighborhood of Addis Ababa, which would enable 100 women and children to stay in a proper environment.
It was learned in the inauguration that the Association for Women’s Sanctuary and Development (AWSAD), a local organization, is tasked to manage the shelter that is believed to contribute to enhancing the social independence of violence survivors.
Speaking at the occasion, Japanese Ambassador to Ethiopia Ito Takako stated that her government donated approximately 145,000 USD (Equivalent to 7.9 million Birr through Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots and Human Security Project (GGP) for the center. The project consisted of one dormitory building and one kitchen building for GBV victims.
Upon completion, the AWSAD center would not only have dormitories for violence survivors, but also a training facility, day care center and other related services.
“We have learned that the number of GBV survivors who want to live in this safe house continues to increase, and the current AWSAD facilities cannot take all those who are in need of its help.”
The ambassador added, “We are also convinced that there is an urgent need to construct a new shelter, which can accommodate more GBV survivors and believe that this project will help them to start a new life in the future.”
This project would further deepen the friendship between the people of Ethiopia and Japan and AWSAD would complete the center as swiftly as possible so that those who need help could start a new life in a new shelter soon, she remarked.
AWSAD Executive Director Maria Munir said for her part that the association has been providing support to violence survivors in Addis Ababa, Adama, Hawassa, and Dessie. Emergency support has also been rendered to war affected areas where gender based violence rehabilitation remains a burning issue.
“While the capacity of the safe house is only 50, at present 100 women and girls are receiving service at the center,” she noted, adding that the Japanese government has made exemplary support to the disadvantaged segment of the society.
Women and Social Affairs State Minister AlemutiUmut mentioned her ministry’s close collaboration with AWSAD to provide the critical services that are part of women’s human rights.
The project grant contract was signed between the Embassy of Japan and the AWSAD on September 28, 2023, it was learned.
BY ESSEYE MENGISTE
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 17 NOVEMBER 2023
