East African women equality, inclusivity promoting project unveiled

Addis Ababa, March 21, 2024 (FBC) – A five-year project that will be implemented in three East African countries has been unveiled in Addis Ababa today.

The project dubbed “Skybird Two” would focus on promoting women’s equality and inclusivity, it was learned.

Speaking at the launching of the project, Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) President Abera Tola said it will be implemented in Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Uganda over the next five years.

The project which focuses on women’s equality and inclusivity is designed to benefit more than 200,000 women.

According to the ERCS president, 4 million Euro a budget has been allocated for the project.

Of this, 80 percent would be funded by the Austrian Development Agency and the remaining sum by the Austrian Red Cross and Switzerland Natural Resources Development Project.

One of the key objectives of the project is to establish institutions that empower women and enable them to assume leadership and decision-making roles, it was learned.

In addition, efforts will be made to improve access to clean drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities, initiatives which aim to enhance women’s participation and empower them.

Austrian Red Cross Country Director, Temesgen Abebe, revealed on the occasion that the previous “Skybird One” project benefited more than 210,000 women.

According to him, the Austrian Red Cross is committed to continuing financial and technical support for the second phase of the project to succeed.

Austrian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Simon Knapp, on his part expressed his readiness to cooperate in all areas to ensure the project’s achievements, as per ENA.