U.S. launches domestic servitude reduction project in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, June 2, 2021 (FBC) – The United States Government announces the launch of the “Reducing the Prevalence of Domestic Servitude in Ethiopia” project, funded by U.S. Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP Office).

The Ethiopia focused project is aimed to achieve a measurable and substantial reduction of the prevalence of human trafficking in populations and regions within countries worldwide.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, the Reducing the Prevalence of Domestic Servitude in Ethiopia project aims to reduce trafficking of child domestic workers in Addis Ababa, and to reduce trafficking of Ethiopians migrating to the Middle East as domestic workers from Addis Ababa and the Amhara region.

Implemented by the Freedom Fund, this 7 million USD project began in 2019. Under this project, the child domestic workers program focuses on influencing the behaviors of those involved in trafficking, improving the Government of Ethiopia’s ability to monitor domestic worker conditions, building the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) that work in the trafficking sector, and improving the services available to child domestic workers.

Meanwhile, the safer migration program concentrates on improving community understanding of safe migration, assisting the Government of Ethiopia to improve its legal migration system, working with CSOs to improve government accountability in the sector, and improving reintegration services for returnees.