Mahibere Hiwot for Social Development (MSD), in partnership with Eshet Children and Youth Development Organisation; Hiwot Ethiopia; Save Your Holy Land Association and YMCA Ethiopia, has been implementing a project entitled ‘Peace Matters: Dialogue for Peaceful Coexistence’. The project has been working in several areas, including Addis Ababa, and parts of Amhara, Oromia and SNNP Regions. Mulugeta Mola, a Youth Peace Pomoter from Woliata Sodo, explains his role in the project.
"As part of the YMCA project, I work as an adult peace promoter. Aside from the project’s benefits, I am able to contribute to the peace of the community. The Ministry of Peace chose us to share our experience as part of its nationwide campaign based on our contribution to the project. It also provided us with the opportunity to teach students from 40 different universities about peace and cooperation.
Furthermore, more than 3,000 youth from Woliata Sodo received peace building training, which contributed to the town’s peaceful environment. Prior to the training, I didn’t have enough understanding about local peace-building practices. After participating in the project, I learned about various local practices. Similarly, for other youths in the community who are unfamiliar with cultural conflict resolution practices, the project provides an opportunity to learn and implement them. The project provided us with training materials. Based on that, we provided training in 11 rounds to 3,800 participants from schools and religious organizations, youth groups, women’s organizations, government employees and authorities. When conflicts arose in my community, I became a negotiator. People suggested talking to me and nominating me as a negotiator during various conflicts after observing my activities in schools and other places. This enables me to play a role in peace-building activities in my village. I believe, this will greatly assist me in my future efforts to help my community maintain a peaceful environment.
APeD made me understand that the constitutional laws allow equal land ownership rights for men and women and empowered me to fight against discriminatory customary practices. With the ongoing advice and support of the project, I took the case to Court to inherit my share. I confidently won the court case and protected my land rights as a woman to avoid forced removal. As a result, I have already started to teach my girls about their equal land rights, as an essential and basic entry point for challenging patriarchy and giving girls and women a voice in the struggle for their rights."
