UNFPA - United Nations Population Fund

Published purpose

This project aims to prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and improve access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for vulnerable populations in the Tigray, Amhara, Afar, and Benishangul Gumuz regional states of Ethiopia. The project particularly targets women and girls, including Internally Displaced Persons, refugees, and vulnerable members of host communities. Conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) linked to conflicts in Ethiopia significantly increased the need for support to survivors and the need for prevention interventions. The project addresses immediate needs for women and girl’s safe spaces (WGSS) and for mobile medical teams to offer reproductive health care, community outreach, and initial clinical response and referral to other services for survivors of CRSV and SGBV. In addition, the project also aims to assist in rebuilding local government capacity to prevent and respond to SGBV including by offering services to survivors, increasing community awareness of SGBV, and offering protection. Further, essential SRHR services provided through the project reduce maternal morbidity and mortality, and serve as an entry point to introduce SGBV education and services.