We-Action’s project has also organized multiple family dialogue sessions to enhance open discussions among family members. According to the project’s beneficiaries, these have helped them to get closer to their partners and discuss different issues within the family.

Yemisrach Gurmo, 28 years old, a mother of six, is one of the Social Analysis and Action (SAA) group members in Benatsemai District, South Omo. I joined a self-help group in my local district in 2020. Open discussion was not common in my home. Even though I learned the importance of saving from the different training I received from the project, I was afraid to tell my husband about my membership in the SHG group, fearing abuse - I was afraid it might upset him and might lead him to beat me.

My husband found out about my savings when I covered the costs of repairing his motorcycle following an accident. However, it was his participation in the regular family dialogue that helped him to learn more about the benefits of savings, open discussion among family members and supporting family.

The project developed a family dialogue manual and trained community facilitators to initiate dialogues among families. In addition to the technical input being provided by the community facilitators, the project covers the costs of holding the discussions.