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Promoting the sustainable economic empowerment of women in Ethiopia
In northern Ethiopia, women are among the first to be affected by the consequences of conflict: loss of income, insecurity, and isolation. In Abala, in the Afar region, Première Urgence Internationale works to promote women’s economic empowerment by combining protection, psychosocial support, and livelihood assistance.
Publié le 13/05/2026 | Temps de lecture : 8 min
From daily survival to a fresh start
At 33, Helen is raising her two daughters alone in Abala. After her separation, she had no stable source of income. To meet her basic needs, she went from house to house doing laundry for small sums of money. “I did whatever I could, just to survive,” she recalls.
A reality shared by many women in the region, identified by the The Women and Social Affairs Office in Abala, a partner in the project.
A coordinated and targeted humanitarian response in Ethiopia
Identified as particularly vulnerable, Helen was enrolled in a livelihood support program implemented by Première Urgence Internationale, with funding from Expertise France.
This program combines:
- management and entrepreneurship training, tailored to participants with no formal experience;
- initial financial support;
- regular mentoring, essential for securing the first few months of business operations.
The goal: to transform one-time aid into sustainable economic empowerment, taking into account social and post-conflict realities.
The training didn’t just provide Helen with technical skills. It helped her start thinking differently about what she could do.
Upon completing the training, Helen was able to open a small retail shop, thanks to a financial grant and basic supplies.
Overcoming doubts, building stability
“The beginning was challenging. There were days with very few customers, and it was a period marked by uncertainty while working to establish trust and engagement with the customers,” she recalls.
Thanks to regular follow-up from the Première Urgence Internationale teams, her business gradually found its footing. Today, her income allows her to provide for her children and cover daily expenses.
Helen has also joined an Equb, a community savings system widely practiced in Ethiopia, strengthening her ability to plan for and secure the future.
“Before, I depended on going house to house just to survive. Now, I can support my children on my own. I feel more stable,” she concludes.
A concrete change, but also a symbolic one: regaining her dignity and her place within the community.
A comprehensive approach for the most vulnerable women
In northern Ethiopia, many women share Helen’s journey, particularly in conflict-affected areas.
To address this, Première Urgence Internationale deploys mobile health and protection teams, offering:
- Gender Based Violence services (GBV);
- health care;
- psychosocial support.
The project funded by Expertise France helps link protection with economic empowerment to address the real needs of women affected by crises, beyond the immediate emergency.
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