CAWEE partners with GIZ to empower women in Lalibela town in tourism, agriculture sectors

Addis Ababa, October 28, 2024 (FBC) – The Center for Accelerated Women’s Economic Empowerment (CAWEE) has partnered with the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) to introduce a project called ‘Visit Lalibela,’ aimed at empowering women through technical support in essential sectors such as tourism and agriculture.

A workshop focused on the ‘Visit Lalibela’ project held in Addis Ababa, in attendance of officials from the Lalibela town administration, representatives of local women’s associations, scholars, and tour operators.

Dr. Nigest Haile, Executive Director of CAWEE, highlighted the initiative’s focus on equipping women with skills in high-demand areas, including hand-weaving, pottery, beeswax extraction, and tour guiding. She emphasized the project’s role in complementing governmental efforts to revitalize the tourism industry while economically empowering local women.

In addition to activities in Ethiopia, CAWEE has established an office in Nairobi and is in the process of launching satellite offices in Lomé, Togo; Kinshasa, DRC; and Accra, Ghana, to maximize the potential of African women and promote products created by Ethiopian women.

The workshop’s significance lies in facilitating the promotion of traditional Ethiopian hand-woven outfits and and pottery produced by women. It also sought to create market connections and validate research on honey production in Lalibela, aiming to involve more women in beeswax-related products like candles and beauty creams.

Out of 100 women selected by the Lalibela city administration, 15 have received training in hand weaving, 15 in pottery, and 20 in tour guiding, allowing them to begin their careers in these sectors, according to Dr. Nigest.

Mandefro Tadesse, Head of the Heritage Conservation and Tourism Development Division at the Lalibela Culture and Tourism Office, stated that the initiative will provide crucial support to the area’s tourism sector, a vital income source for the local community. The trained women have already begun their ventures in tour guiding and traditional craft businesses.

Estalu Kelemu, Chairman of the Association of Tour Guides in Lalibela, remarked on the importance of women’s participation in the tourism sector, noting its potential benefits for both the local economy and the broader socio-economic landscape of the country.

CAWEE has been operational in Ethiopia since 2004 and celebrated its 20th anniversary this year.