AWSAD Ethiopia

Association for Women’s Sanctuary and Development
OUR MISSION

Creating a Safe and Just Environment for All.​

AWSAD provides critical safe shelter, holistic care, and economic empowerment to survivors of gender-based violence, while working with communities to end abuse for good.

35,000+

Women and girls supported on their journey to safety and healing.

6​

Safe houses providing sanctuary and holistic care across Ethiopia.

19+​

Years of service dedicated to eliminating gender-based violence.​

WHY YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS

Your donation provides safety, healing, and hope for survivors of violence.

JOIN OUR MISSION TO END GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE​

For over 19 years, AWSAD has been a lifeline for women and girls across Ethiopia, providing sanctuary, healing, and a path to empowerment for over 35,000 survivors. Your support fuels our safe houses, emergency response, and community prevention programs. Together, we can build a future free from violence.

help us out

Safe Shelter

Healing Care

Economic
Power

society change

OUR INTEGRATED APPROACH

Holistic Care for Survivors, Sustainable Change for Communities​

AWSAD’s multi-sectoral model provides more than just shelter. We offer a full spectrum of services, including medical care, legal aid, psychological counseling, education, and economic empowerment. This ensures survivors heal, recover, and thrive independently.

TESTIMONIALS​

Hear directly from the women we serve.

AWSAD’s proven, multi-sectoral approach tackles gender-based violence at every level. We not only provide immediate safe shelter and critical care but also drive systemic change through economic empowerment programs like TILA and community mobilization initiatives such as SASA!, which has already increased community support for survivors by 66%.

  • Success Story

    My name is *Alem. I was raped by my sister’s husband. When we went to the hospital, the doctors informed us that I was pregnant. After that the police brought me to AWSAD.
    Because of the counseling sessions at the safe house, I began to have affection towards my baby. I graduated from hairdressing skill training. With the help of the legal aid and follow up service at the safe house, the perpetrator was sentenced to 11 years in prison.

  • justice never delays

    My name is *Rebeka Zelalem. I used to live with my cousin and he used cut my lips with scissors and pour a hot water onto my face. I was rescued and referred to AWSAD’s safe house by the police. I was able to follow up my legal case at AWSAD and the perpetrator was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment. AWSAD also reintegrated me with my family.

  • this is my story

    My name is Felekech*. I was raped by my father. One day I told his cousin everything and
    she reported my father to the police. Then police brought me to AWSAD’s safe house.  After I came to the safe house, I gave birth to a baby girl. Later, I enrolled in embroidery skill training. I was also provided with legal aid and follow up in the case against my father resulting in a 13-year imprisonment. I’m currently supporting myself and my baby.
SUPPORT OUR MISSIOn

Your Donation Makes a Direct Impact​

When you donate to AWSAD, you join a strategic alliance dedicated to eliminating gender-based violence in Ethiopia. Your contribution is amplified through our validated partnerships with UN agencies, government bodies, and international donors, ensuring maximum impact and accountability for every birr given.

Hotline:

+251 *********

OUR PARTNERS

Building Networks for Greater Impact

Together with government and international partners, we strengthen systems, share resources, and amplify our reach to support survivors and prevent violence across Ethiopia.

  • UN women logo
  • UNFPA logo
WE’RE BUILDING A FUTURE FREE FROM VIOLENCE.