Income Generation for 5,000 Poor Ethiopian Women

BACKGROUND 

Pathfinder International and its partner, the Addis Ababa Women’s Association, received funding from generous GlobalGiving donors to support low-income women to engage in income-generating activities (IGAs) to increase self-sufficiency and productivity. With the support of these donors, 97 low-income Ethiopian women have started their own businesses. Each woman was provided business skills training, in addition to information on issues like sexual and reproductive health, reproductive rights, family planning, HIV and AIDS, and harmful traditional practices. Beneficiaries are engaged in various types of businesses including poultry, small-scale restaurants, vegetable gardening, petty trade, animal fattening and dry foods preparation. Testimonials from beneficiaries demonstrated that GlobalGiving support continues to bring about positive change in the lives of these women and their families by providing household food security, the ability to send their children to school, personal satisfaction, and control over their own income.

UPDATE

Pathfinder was able to conduct follow-up visits to the 30 women who were supported by GlobalGiving donors, and found that their businesses are thriving with their group capital steadily on the rise. They continue to face challenges for growing their business, like shortages of kitchen equipment and utensils, but they are positive and hopeful for expansion in the future. The beneficiaries are in critical need of continued support, please consider supporting these income-generating activities.

• Income Generating Activities Report_Sept2014 (PDF)