Center of Concern and its partners are implementing a women’s empowerment project entitled, “Enhancing Participation of Women in Politics and Governance in SNNPRS”. The intervention recognizes that in order to ensure all rounded development in the country,
it is imperative to bring women to leadership and decision-making positions. Unless the political, social and economic participation of women (who make up more than 50% of the population) is enhanced, full development will not be achieved.

A total of 70 workshops were organized across all project intervention areas for women, youth and men to discuss the issues and to increase awareness of the community on women’s access to decision-making positions. The workshops covered various aspects
of major barriers that hinder women in becoming leaders in politics and governance structures. Possible solutions to overcome the challenges on the ground and recommendations to improve the situation were also identified.

At the end of the session, participants pledged to put into practice the knowledge acquired from the workshop and to be models within their communities in promoting women’s rights to be in leadership positions.