Women's empowerment for child development in Ethiopia Naiset muutoksen moottorina Etiopiassa Ethiopia is one of the most populous and poorest nations in Africa. 52% of the 90 million population are below the age of 18. Ethiopia ranks 173/186 countries in the Human Development Index. The key development problem that the project seeks to resolve is poverty reduction and an improved standard of living and wellbeing of vulnerable women and children. Gender equality and women's empowerment are key factors in this. By focusing on the most vulnerable women and their families the project will reduce inequalities. The specific objective of the project is to improve the socioeconomic status of vulnerable women and children in Agaro, Oromia region. The project aims to achieve the following outcomes: 1) Improved health and learning outcomes of 1500 girls and boys in primary school.  2) Improved employability of 110 youth (aged 18-24) 3) Improved livelihood status of 500 women-headed households 4) Improved community knowledge, attitudes and practices on gender relations 5) Strengthened women and child focused community structures 6) Promotion of regional inclusive development policy The activities to reach these results are wide-ranging and will include the following: improving the quality of education in local schools, improving access to health care, facilitation of vocational training, training and support for income-generating activities, capacity building of CBOs and local authorities, supporting the development of regional inclusiveness etc. The project is implemented as a partnership between SOS Children's Villages Finland, SOS Children's Villages Ethiopia and the SOS regional office of East and Southern Africa. SOS Ethiopia is a respected national CSO and has over 40 years experience of alternative care, family and community strengthening, education, health care and emergency response. SOS Finland's has over 50 years experience in child protection and over ten years experience of development co-operation with its SOS partner countriesin East and West Africa. At the local level the main project partners are the local and regional authorities, as well as local CBO's working with women and children. Ethiopia is one of the most populous and poorest nations in Africa. 52% of the 90 million population are below the age of 18. Ethiopia ranks 173/186 countries in the Human Development Index. The key development problem that the project seeks to resolve is poverty reduction and an improved standard of living and wellbeing of vulnerable women and children. Gender equality and women's empowerment are key factors in this. By focusing on the most vulnerable women and their families the project will reduce inequalities. The specific objective of the project is to improve the socioeconomic status of vulnerable women and children in Agaro, Oromia region.
The project aims to achieve the following outcomes:

1) Improved health and learning outcomes of 1500 girls and boys in primary school. 
2) Improved employability of 110 youth (aged 18-24)
3) Improved livelihood status of 500 women-headed households
4) Improved community knowledge, attitudes and practices on gender relations
5) Strengthened women and child focused community structures
6) Promotion of regional inclusive development policy

The activities to reach these results are wide-ranging and will include the following: improving the quality of education in local schools, improving access to health care, facilitation of vocational training, training and support for income-generating activities, capacity building of CBOs and local authorities, supporting the development of regional inclusiveness etc.

The project is implemented as a partnership between SOS Children's Villages Finland, SOS Children's Villages Ethiopia and the SOS regional office of East and Southern Africa. SOS Ethiopia is a respected national CSO and has over 40 years experience of alternative care, family and community strengthening, education, health care and emergency response. SOS Finland's has over 50 years experience in child protection and over ten years experience of development co-operation with its SOS partner countriesin East and West Africa.
At the local level the main project partners are the local and regional authorities, as well as local CBO's working with women and children.