Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA)
is a non–profit, non-partisan, non-confessional, and non-governmental
organization. NEWA’s constituent members are various associations
and non-governmental organizations whose primary focus is working
on women centered issues. The Networks source of funding is membership
fee, grants from national and international donors, contributions
from institutions as well as private individuals.
VISION
NEWA’s vision is to see an Ethiopian society
in which gender equality is realized.
MISSION
NEWA’s mission is to create the conditions for
economic, social political and legal empowerment of women in Ethiopia.
GOAL
NEWA has a twofold goal: synchronizing the individual
activities of women associations into an integrated collective
effort and synergy to resize their common aspirations for gender
equality, and launching a vigorous public campaign of promotion,
advocacy, and lobby for women’s rights.
OBJECTIVES
- To ensure that experiences
and interests of women are factored in the process of formulating
laws and policies,
- To create a forum for exchanging experiences,
broadening achievements, exploring solutions for obstacles encountered,
and strategizing towards a collective action for change,
- Cooperate network and exchange experience
with CDOs, government and other institutions concerned with
women’s issues. Monitor Ethiopia’s compliance with ratified
national laws and international conventions on women’s rights,
- Conduct public education to ensure that women
and men at all levels are made aware of women’s constitutional
and legal rights,
- Solicit practical support from various
sectors to overcome accumulated legacy of inequities.
STRATEGY
To realize the above stated objectives, NEWA
will employ a strategy based on the following inter-related and
complementary components:
- Networking and capacity building
- Action oriented research, information generation
- and dissemination; as a basis for
- Advocacy, lobbying and outreach
NEWA’s STRACTURAL SET UP
The general assembly, the managing board and
the secretariat are the highest authoritative branches of NEWA.
The general assembly is the ultimate decision making body. The
General assembly approves the organization’s annual budget and
work- plan and elects the managing board. The managing board has
mandate to oversee the overall activities of NEWA and appoint
the General Secretary. The Secretariat headed by the General secretary
is responsible for the day – to – day functions of NEWA.
BACKGROUND
In October 2001, the Ethiopian
women’s lawyers association initialed the idea of establishing
a Network of NGOs and associations working with women. Representatives
of different NGOs, associations wee as concerned individuals held
a series meetings to deliberate on the issue. After through discussions,
the representatives elect a steering committee to draft by-laws
were approved and the coalition was officially formed with thirteen
constituent member organizations. The constituent member organization
are: The Ethiopian Women’s Lawyers Association(EWLA); The Ethiopia
Media Women’s Association(MWA); The young Women Christian Association(YWCA);
Women in self employment (WISE); The women’s Association of Tigray(WAT);
Kembatti Mentti Gezzima - tope(KMG); Good Samaritan Association;
Love for children, Projynest; Women & children development
organization, women support organization, Welfare for the street
mothers& children organization.
The first seven organization listed constitute the board of NEWA.
