Member Organizations

Djibouti

Bender Djedid Socio-economic Association

Founded in 1992, Bender Djedid works throughout Djibouti and its objectives mainly involve Education. Benerd Djedid run a nursery school; hold crash courses for primary and secondary children; hold literacy classes for adults; organise remedial courses and run a training centre. It also works in the area of Health Development, providing social assistance for poor families and disaster victims; and provides administrative assistance for the installation of small businesses for durable development.

National Union of Djiboutian Women (UNFD)

Founded in 1977, UNFD works throughout the five districts of the Republic of Djibouti. Its objectives are to promote the integration of women in the processes of development; to fight against female illiteracy, FGM, and female poverty; and to protect the health of mothers and children. Currently, UNFD is working in the areas of primary health care, literacy for women, agriculture, child rights, income-generating activities, environmental issues, training and job-searching, culture and handicraft, and business and micro-credit.
In light of ratification, UNFD is currently undertaking a campaign to disseminate knowledge about the Protocol for African Women's Rights throughout Djibouti.

Eritrea

National Union for Eritrean Women (NUEW)

Founded in 1979, NUEW works throughout Eritrea. NUEW's main areas of work are awareness-raising campaigns, the empowerment of women, the political and social strengthening of women, literacy programmes, legal awareness and girls' education.
NUEW are also working in the areas of HIV/AIDS prevention, election campaigns, food for education, reproductive health and women and land.

For more information visit: www.nuew.org

National Union for Eritrean Youth (NUEY)

NUEYS stands for the betterment of Eritrean youth. The mission of NUEYS is to organize and build a versatile youth that is aware and proud of their culture, identity, heritage, and history. It also strives to build a disciplined, self-confident, mature, and responsible youth throughout the country, as well as among Eritrean youth in the Diaspora. This mission encompasses the values and ideals of the 30-year struggle for independence and, with the same spirit, NUEYS’ mission has been redrafted to include the new challenges faced by the youth in post-liberated Eritrea.

Ethiopia

Ethiopian Women Lawyer Association (EWLA)

Founded in 1995, EWLA's head office is situated in Addis Ababa, with 6 regional branches throughout the country. EWLA's objectives are to eliminate all forms of legal and traditionally sanctioned discrimination against women; to ensure equal treatment of women and men in education, employment and access to public services and benefits; and to advocate affirmative measures for women to address discrimination.
Currently, EWLA are working in the fields of Legal Aid, research and public education.

For more information visit: www.etwla.org

Somalia

Coalition for Grassroots Women Organisation (COGWO)

Though individual women's organisations felt the need to unite their efforts, the idea of an umbrella organisation was only seriously discussed during a workshop held in Nairobi in January 1995. The workshop offered an opportunity for women from different regions to meet and discuss serious issues for the first time in years. An umbrella organization was considered to be a suitable means to realise the intended goals.
Following commitments made in Nairobi, several individual women and women's organisations took further steps. They decided it would be worthwhile to test the idea by organizing a joint program for presentation in the fourth women World Conference in Beijing (September 1995). Their intervention was successful, and on returning to Mogadishu they decided to formalise the establishment of the umbrella organization named COGWO (Coalition for Grassroots Women Organizations), formally established in January 1996. With it's headquarters in Mogadishu, COGWO is a network of 30 women organizations. Member organizations operate in Mogadishu, Banadir, Middle & Lower Shabelle, Hiran, and Galgadud. COGWO works for the social, political and economic empowerment of Somali women through the promotion of peace, women's rights, capacity building, and information sharing & networking.

Currently, COGWO are involved in women's rights education; political participation of Somali women; campaigning against VAW; psychosocial support; and peace.

For more information visit:

 http://www.somalicivilsociety.org/partners/cogwo_profile.php

IIDA Women Development Organisation

Founded in 1991, IIDA works in Mogadishu. Its objectives are to promote non-violent means of conflict-resolution; to ensure integration of Somali women in reconciliation and development processes; and to provide training programmes in the areas of literacy, home economics and business promotion; to hold public seminars for women.
Currently, IIDA is active in the areas of health care, literacy, civic education, computer skills, income-generating activities, awareness-raising, and peace building. It also runs a community and feeding centre, supports youth sports and supports the agricultural sector.

Kalsan Voluntary Organisation for Women

Founded in 1992, Kalsan works in Mogadishu and Middle/Shabele Regions. Its main objectives are to provide vocational training programmes, income generating activities, peace building, and food security programmes. Kalsan's mission is to improve living conditions of women's groups and individuals in Somalia by creating job opportunities, through the establishment of agriculture, education, income generation activities, peace, and human rights.  Currently, Kalsan are working to improve living conditions within Somali communities, particularly for women, through a socio-economic, sustainable development programme. It also promotes Somali women groups through creating job opportunities; and establishing agriculture, education and income-generating activities.

Peace and Human Rights Network (PHRN)

Founded in 1997, PHRN works with women and their communities. Its main objectives are to prevent conflicts and encourage peace initiatives; to organise and participate in workshops and demonstrations that encourage the cessation of fighting, reconciliation, and good governance of Somalia communities; to advocate for peace and human rights; to document violations of human rights in Somalia; and to collaborate with institutions and civil society to minimise social and political conflicts throughout Somalia.
Currently, PHRN is working in the areas of conflict transformation and peace building; advocacy and lobbying for good governance; Advocating for human rights and acting as a public watchdog; and engaging in structuraldialogue.

Subiya Development Volunteers Organisation (SUDVO)

Founded in 1989, SUDVO work with rural and urban women who are economically, psychologically and educationally disadvantaged. Its goal is to free Somali women from the violent and dominating attitudes of Somali culture. SUDVO's programmes include formal and informal education for girls and women, counselling services for survivors of VAW, Child Protection Programme, and sport programmes of women.

Somaliland

Heegan Human Rights Network

Founded in 2002, Heegan Network works throughout Somaliland. Its main objectives are advocating for human, women, and children's rights; documenting human rights violations; fighting against suppression of Somali women and minority groups; and developing strategies for the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls, particularly FGM. Currently, Heegan Network is researching the fate of missing girls, the causes of suicide amongst young girls; strategies for the minimization of sexual assault; HIV/AIDS programme; and trauma counseling.

Nagaad Umbrella Organisation

Founded in 1997, Nagaad's main office is in Hargeisa. In addition, under the umbrella, many member organisations have branches and offices in other regions of Somaliland. Nagaad's objectives are advocating the economic, social and political status of women in Somaliland; and strengthening the capacity of its member organisations to implement effective projects related to the promotion of girls' education and reducing VAW. Currently, Nagaad is campaigning against VAW; advocating for Women's Human Rights; and capacity building for member organisations. Nagaad is also involved in promoting Female Political Participation.

For more information visit: www.nagaad.org

Second Chance Education Network

Founded in 2000, Second Chance Education Network works throughout Somaliland. The objectives of the network are establishing educational programmes for women and children; enhancing marketing skills for women and children; and advocating for equal education opportunities for girls and boys. Currently, the network is running educational centres, supporting them with a standardized curriculum, and ensuring that women and men, girls and boys receive an equal education.

Tisqaad Environment Network

Founded in 2001, Tisqaad works throughout Somaliland. Its objectives are to encourage and strengthen the environmental politics and protect natural resources; placing special focus on land degradation, the loss of biodiversity and water scarcity.Currently, Tisqaad are carrying out workshops aimed at professionals in the Environmental field. The main issues identified by Tisqaad are charcoal and plastic bags. Through an advisory and awareness raising role, Tisqaad also works on clean-up campaigns and sanitation programmes.

We Are Women Activists (WAWA)

Founded in 2000, WAWA work in the semi-autonomous region of Puntland. Its objectives are to establish a sustainable cooperation framework and open dialogue between Civil Society Organisations, government institutions and donors; to provide participatory trainings that builds the confidence of Somali women; and to conduct an in-depth research on the conditions of women in employment, education, health, decision making and politics. Currently, WAWA is conducting computer training and English language courses for its members. WAWA is also conducting workshops on Human Rights, finance, HIV/AIDS, FGM, VAW and ICT.

Sudan

Babiker Badri Scientific Association for women Studies (BBSAWS)

Founded in 1979, BBSAWS works in IDP camps in Khartoum and Darfur. It's objectives are to encourage research programs and projects to enhance the status of Sudanese women, to advocate for women's rights and empowerment and to contribute effectively in regional, national and international programmes and meetings that foster the development of humanities in general, and women's issues in particular. Currently, BBSAWS is working in the areas of Women's Rights, girls' education, women in law and development, the eradication of Harmful Traditional Practices, and poverty alleviation and capacity building of Community Based Organisations.

For more information visit: www.babikerbadriassociation.org

 Diar for Rehabilitation and Development Association (DRDA)

Founded in 2002, DRDA works with vulnerable IDP communities in Khartoum State, Nuba Mountains, Upper Nile and Rumbek. Its main goal is the alleviation of poverty through the creation of a sustainable self help framework to enhance the economic and political status of IDPs. DRDA's main objectives are the enhancement of unity amongst Sudanese women; the economic, social and political empowerment of women; and the elimination of Violence Against Women. Current programmes are focusing on the areas of empowerment, literacy, kindergarten education, Micro-craft, and group formation.

Gender Centre for Research & Training (GCRT)

Founded in 1997, GCRT focuses on the area surrounding Khartoum. Its goals are to achieve gender-balanced policy planning, gender mainstreaming, and improved socio-economic status for vulnerable groups. Currently GCRT are working in the fields of Research and Training, and Training and Networking, targeting both women and men.

Mutawinat Benevolent Group

Founded in 1990, Mutawinat works through focal points across the whole of Sudan. MUTAWINAT works for a Sudan where all children and women enjoy thir rights without any discrimination. The group hopes to ensure this through the provision of legal aid services and advocacy for the protection of Women's and Childrens Rights.
Mutawinat provides legal aid, and focuses on child rights-based training, awareness raising and lobbying. Currently, the group is conducting 8 activities under 4 main programmes: Women's Rights Project; Juvenile Justice Programme; Community Awareness Program for Combating FGM; and Researches Surveys and Documentation.

For more information visit: www.mutawinat.org

 SALMMAH Women's Resource Centre 

Founded in 1997, Salmmah's resource centre is situated in Khartoum. Its goals are the establishment of a women's resource centre working on gender related issues and feminist theory in relation to the practices of women today. Salmmah also hopes to create a just society through spreading ideas of feminism, enhancing Women's Human Rights and Gender Equality. Salmmah's target group is women and youth, and it's programmes includes training, documentation and research.

Sudan Development Association (SDA)

Founded in 1990, SDA works in Khartoum, Gedaref, River Nile, and Northern Kordofan. SDA's vision is to build disadvantaged communities in Sudan to meet basic Human Rights and improve their livelihoods. SDA's objectives are to build strong self-reliance associations for vulnerable groups; to encourage environmental policies that support people to improve their livelihood; and to encourage the organization of Civil Society groups, mobilising their resources to address key issues.

Women's Action for Development (WAD)

Founded in 1996, WAD works in Upper Nile State. Its main target groups are women, youth, and communities. WAD's goal is to enable gender issues to occupy their rightful place in sustainable development; through institutional strengthening, capacity building, activity implementation, and networking.