Inclusive Community Development

Improved economic and social situation of women in the four communities of Achi Musa, Shanko Kelema, Shanko Wolfo and Dimeka Zuria in the district of Hamer and to promote climate resilience.

The project works with 1,600 residents (926 women, 474 men), including women, schoolgirls and children with disabilities. The project also involves community leaders, project and government staff. Indirectly involved are around 5.602 people (2.855 women, 2.747 men).

The main livelihood of people in Hamer is livestock farming. Apart from small plots of (arable) land, grazing land is communally owned. Hamer is characterised by a low literacy rate, frequent droughts and human and animal epidemics. The population suffers from chronic food insecurity and over 40% are dependent on the Productive Safety Nets Programme. Basic infrastructure and social services such as roads, health facilities, schools, water and electricity supply and communications are virtually non-existent. The social and economic status of women in the community is low and denies them access to family property or inheritance. Women cannot claim their rights and suffer from a huge workload as they are responsible for preparing food, grinding grain, fetching water, collecting firewood, helping their husbands with agricultural activities, supervising children and running the household. There is great resistance to women’s education, mainly because educated girls attain a lower dowry.

• To promote the participation of women and girls in decisions about resources, start-up capital, material for self-help groups, breeding animals, water pumps and vegetable seeds are provided
• Tutoring sessions are offered, school materials are provided for pupils in need and hygiene materials are made available
• Students with disabilities are supported and events on the topic of girls' education are organised with the involvement of leaders, women, teachers, the Education Office and the Women Affairs Office
• Radio programmes are broadcast in local languages on the topic of environmental protection and the role of girls and women
• By constructing new water ponds and rehabilitating existing ones, 200 households have better access to water and pastureland
• Women and men receive seeds, handicraft materials and training in conservation agriculture and are better able to adapt to climate change
• Through community and family dialogues, influential members of the community are sensitised to the participation of women in productive activities
• Women will actively participate in decision-making processes at family and community level and SCORE employees will be trained on gender and climate change