skills development

AWSAD Skills Training Program

Overview
Skills training is one of the major programs implemented by AWSAD. The trainings are designed based on market assessments commissioned by AWSAD.

To support survivors in gaining skills that enable them to earn income, AWSAD offers the following courses:

  • Hair Dressing
  • Food Preparation
  • Sewing & Embroidery
  • Leather Work
  • Bamboo & Jute Weaving
  • Babysitting
  • Housekeeping

Training centers are established on-site, providing safe and secure access for survivors and vulnerable women in the community.

Past Trainings
AWSAD has also sponsored residents and community women at technical and vocational schools, including:

  • Carpet Making
  • Construction Work

Courses typically last 3–6 months, with enrollment based on interest.

Purpose of Skills Training
The program serves multiple goals:

  1. Economic empowerment – Equipping women with skills they can monetize.
  2. Personal growth – Training provides enjoyment, builds self-confidence, and gives survivors meaningful engagement.
  3. Employment and entrepreneurship – After completing training, survivors receive seed money to start businesses (often in groups) or are supported to find jobs.

Life Skills & Empowerment
AWSAD also runs sessions on resilience and empowerment:

  • Startup capital for women engaged in Income-Generating Activities (IGAs).
  • For employed survivors:
    • Two months’ rent covered.
    • Basic startup items (including food).

Childcare Support

  • In-shelter daycare at the Addis Ababa safe house for mothers in training.
  • Separate daycare in Adama for ex-residents.
  • Hair dressing training
  • Food preparation training
  • Sewing and Embroidery training
  • Jute weaving training
  • Leather training
  • Hand weaving training
  • Bamboo training
  • Babysitting training

AWSAD IGA Partnership

AWSAD has been working with stakeholders including private sectors and employment networks to ensure that survivors of gender-based violence are socially and economically empowered.

Decreasing violence against women and girls requires a community-based, multi-pronged approach, and sustained engagement with multiple stakeholders. Working with these stakeholders, AWSAD has been successful in providing employment opportunities to trained and qualified survivors of gender-based violence at the safe house.

Partnership Accomplishment

AWSAD developed network with potential partnerships for employment opportunity and improved the quantity and quality of the partnership every year.

Example: Kombolcha Textile Factory provides job opportunities and safe places for survivors to stay. Many other partners are also providing training and job opportunities for the survivors.

The Impact of Economic Empowerment

  • Women’s economic empowerment can decrease the risk of violence
  • Women’s economic empowerment sets a direct path towards gender equality
  • Women and girls’ increased economic activity and empowerment helps to reduce VAWG and protect women and girls
  • Women’s economic empowerment is a prerequisite for sustainable development, growth and achievement
  • Economic empowerment increases women’s access to economic resources and opportunities