KENJIT volume 1 number 3

The Networks quarterly newsletter "KENJIT " has been published for the 3rd time on December 2003.The newsletter have incorporated NEWA's activities, editorial, a feature article entitled women, political leadership and historical memory, "Gender Talk", Activities of member organizations and an interview with Mrs. Meaza Ashenafi.the overall theme of the newsletter is as follows:_
As highlight of NEWA's activities

The Network has published and widely distributed a directory that contains profiles, basic data, including their names (acronyms), year of registration, branch offices, source of funding, annual budget, publication, number of beneficiaries, strategies, objectives, the vision and plan for future expansion of 17 of it constituent members
As the main objective of NEWA is building the capacity its member organizations, the Network organized on December 3-4 training on leadership and decision-making at Desalegn hotel. A trainer from Action Aid conducted the training in which thirty-two participants attended. The training covered a broad aspect of gender issues that included introduction to gender concepts such as: gender and development, gender and organizational culture, gender and leadership and decision-making. Among other things, the trainer used case studies to illustrate core aspects of the training. Judging by the warm response of the participants in the workshop, the training was successful and productive. This was mainly because the training session was based on an effective need assessment conducted by NEWA to identify the priories of the constituent members.
“Gender Talk“a bimonthly forum of the Network was held for the first time on November 28, 2003 at Desalegn hotel. The mayor of Addis Ababa, Mr. Arkebe Equbay, gave a presentation on the city government's efforts to narrow the gender gap in Addis Ababa. The forum was attended by more than 69 participants. ( see Gender Talk pp. )

The Network has also engaged in several meetings and workshops organized by its constituent members as well as by non-affiliated groups that work on gender related issues.

On September 24, 2003 NEWA attended a one-day workshop held at Ghion hotel organized by Women Lawyer Association, Ethiopian Human Right Council, Mekdem Ethiopia and Tesfa Gohe Ethiopia. The workshop was sponsored by the HIV Secretariate. The participants came from different regions, including Nazareth, Bahirdar, Dire Dawa ,Jimma ,Harar, Dessie , Gambela, Benshangul etc. The workshop discussed on submitted papers that focused on stigma, discrimination, the rights of citizens who live with the virus, women victims of HIV/Aids and their human right. Emphasis was made in the discussion on the connection between fighting the epidemic, discrimination, stigma and its hindering impact on the effort being made to control the HIV/AIDS epidemic. A handbook on human rights and HIV/AIDS published in three languages by the UN to raise awareness around this issue was distributed.
NEWA attended a two-day national workshop organized by Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association on Nov 4-5 at the Ghion hotel that received wide media coverage. The main theme of the workshop was women and land right. A document of comparative research on patterns of land redistribution, involving a team of two chief researches and their assistants as well as the personal testimonies of 20 women farmers from the research sites was discussed at the workshops. The issue was discussed from many perspectives, including from a legal, sociological, constitutional and human rights point of view.

the discussants concur with the finding of the research. They agreed that women fair far better in regions where women's property rights was factored in the planning and implementation of land redistribution than in regions where it was not.

NEWA was invited to the annual general assembly of the Ethiopian Nurses Association (ENA), a constituent member organization .The general assembly was held on October 11,2003 at the Transport Authority hall.After an activity and audit report was presented, the main agenda items brought before the assembly included, revising the constitution of the organization, the question of upgrading nursing school standards and. Current challenges facing the association. The assembly adjourned after approving the revised constitution, endorsing the plan of activity until the next assembly as well as accepting new members.
On November 18,2003,NEWA attended a workshop on safe motherhood organized by White Ribbon Alliance in collaboration with Mid Wives at Desalegn hotel. The objective of the workshop was to introduce the purpose, goals and activities of the global White Ribbon Alliance for safe motherhood. A core group was formed to the explore the possibilities of establishing a White Ribbon Alliance secretariat in Ethiopia..
The Projynist, a member organization of NEWA, held at Kebele 07 of Ledeta Kefele Kettema, an inauguration ceremony for the completion of a multi-perpouse construction project. The construction include: of a reference library, multi-sectoral training center, a health post and an alternative basic education center. The multi-sectoral training center is intended to facilitate trainings on business, human rights, children's rights, training on family and penal law, computer training, basic hygiene, home management and food preparation.

NEWA has learned that Projynist has spent a total ETB of 253,427.14 for constructing this multi-purpose trainings center. The organization has purchased audio–visual materials and computers. The alternative basic education center has four classrooms, a toilet and stuff lounge. This center provides services for 400 students (80% are female).

The public showers facility has eight rooms and renders services for the kebele 07community, whereas the health post serves 3 kebele's of Lideta Kefele Kettema.

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