No One Down Relief Organization (NODRO) will implement a 5-year national program to empower 5,000 women and girls trapped in commercial sex in major urban areas including Addis Ababa, Adama, Hawassa, Bahir Dar, Dire Dawa, and Mekelle. The project focuses on: Providing psychosocial counseling and trauma healing. Delivering skills training in tailoring, catering, hairdressing, handicrafts, and small business management. Offering seed grants and start-up kits for alternative livelihoods.
Commercial sex in Ethiopia is driven by poverty, gender inequality, displacement, and lack of education. Over 150,000 women are estimated to be involved in commercial sex, many entering as minors. High prevalence of HIV/AIDS, sexual violence, and stigma perpetuates cycles of poverty. Women face social exclusion, trauma, and unsafe working conditions. Economic vulnerability pushes many back into exploitation.
Over 5 years, NODRO will run integrated rehabilitation, training, and reintegration centers offering holistic support. We will: Provide counseling, healthcare, and trauma recovery services. Deliver vocational and entrepreneurship training. Establish transitional safe homes for survivors. Form savings groups and cooperatives to sustain livelihoods. Conduct awareness campaigns targeting men, youth, and local leaders. Collaborate with government and NGOs for legal protection & advocacy.
5,000 women and girls leave commercial sex and gain sustainable livelihoods. 60% reduction in re-entry into sex work. Increased family stability and community acceptance. Decreased HIV transmission and gender-based violence. Replicable model for urban rehabilitation and women's empowerment.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
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