Ethiopia’s Decentralized Gender in Humanitarian Action Groups: Empowering Women in Emergency Response BODY: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – In a groundbreaking initiative, Ethiopia has established Gender in Humanitarian Action (GiHA) Working Groups across five regions, Afar, Amhara, Oromia, Somali, and Tigray, to ensure gender equality in emergency responses. Launched in 2023, these groups have been decentralized, with a formal membership seat for local women’s organizations. Developed by UN Women Ethiopia, the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for these working groups outline the roles, membership rules, communication channels, reporting lines, and tools for measuring results.
This framework is pivotal in integrating gender perspectives into humanitarian responses, particularly in light of Ethiopia’s various humanitarian emergencies.
The Ethiopian Humanitarian Country Team (EHCT) endorsed the decentralized GiHA Working Groups in the last quarter of 2024, reflecting the government’s commitment to gender equality and inclusive humanitarian action. UN Women Ethiopia has been instrumental in this initiative, emphasizing the importance of gender equality in humanitarian action.
In line with broader efforts to address gender — related issues in Ethiopia, the SOPs are consistent with the National Standard Operating Procedures launched by the Ministry of Women, Children, and Youth (MoWSA) and UNFPA to combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
The SOPs for the GiHA Working Groups define clear roles and responsibilities, ensuring that the voices of local women’s organizations are heard and their expertise is utilized.
As Ethiopia faces ongoing humanitarian challenges, the establishment of these working groups and the implementation of the SOPs are critical steps towards a more equitable and effective response.
The decentralized nature of these groups allows for tailored approaches to the specific needs of each region, ensuring that no community is left behind in the response to emergencies. Communication channels and reporting lines within the SOPs facilitate transparency and accountability, ensuring that the humanitarian response is not only gender-sensitive but also responsive to the needs of all affected communities.
As the GiHA Working Groups continue to operate and evolve, their impact on humanitarian responses in Ethiopia will be closely monitored.
The success of these groups hinges on the commitment of all stakeholders to gender equality and inclusive practices in humanitarian action. This initiative offers a Pan-African model for countries facing similar humanitarian challenges, contributing to the global discourse on gender and emergency response.
As Ethiopia moves forward with its decentralized GiHA Working Groups, the focus remains on ensuring that gender equality is at the heart of all humanitarian responses.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: reliefweb
Source: UN Women
