No longer gender base work division

Gender stereotypes in the community have resulted in low living standards for women. It undermined their social and political participation. The social and political participation of young women in rural areas, in particular, is not consistent with their natural skills and education. A young girl Wubit was one of a victim.

Wubit is a 20-year-old resident of Aba Wube village in Dekuana Kebele, West Belsa Woreda. She continued her regular education up to 10th grade. She did not go to college because she did not pass the grade 10 national exam. Now, she is the chairperson of the youth in her current kebele. How did she become a female chairperson in a rural kebele where there is so much gender discrimination?

ORDA Ethiopia has implemented a project to improve the leadership and decision-making capacity of women in 10 selected kebeles in West Belsa Woreda, Central Gondar Zone, with financial support from the Civil Society Sports Program. For example, one of the 10 kebeles where the project is being implemented is Deqana Kebele, where the young Wubit lives.

The project provided capacity-building training for women's rights organizations 55 staffs (F: 30), 39 religious leaders and elders, 110 (F: 60) community facilitators, and members of rival political parties to increase women's decision-making and political participation. Hence, It has played a key role in improving women's political participation and leadership and in changing attitudes.

When Wubit talks about young women's political and social participation in rural areas she was feeling as it was very low. The project was the reason for her to come to leadership. "When I was elected as a youth leader, I faced a bit of opposition. “They said she could not carry a gun to do her job, but I do it with paper and instructions, not tools," she said. Wubit participated in the training of trainers to empower women's social and political participation and to protect their rights. Then, she was recruited as a facilitator and provides monthly training to the villagers.

"According to the project, I will discuss how to increase the capacity and participation of women. Many married women have begun to command their wealth equally. Husbands and wives work together, and sex is no longer in use to divide work division”.

West Belsa Woreda Women, Children and Youth Affairs Office Head said the project has reduced the stigma and cultural influence of women in the area. The office will continue to work on expanding the results of the project