Women in Ethiopia find themselves in a precarious legal situation with uncertain access to health care. Female genital cutting and child marriage are widespread. Armed conflicts and natural disasters further exacerbate the situation. That is why we take a comprehensive approach to strengthening the health and rights of girls and women.
The country ranks near the bottom of the Human Development Index and in the lower half of the Gender Equality Index (180th and 131st, respectively). With several million people displaced within its borders, Ethiopia has one of the largest displaced populations in the world.
Many women lack access to qualified obstetric care; and the maternal mortality rate is almost 40 times higher than in Switzerland. Nationwide, there is just one doctor for every 10,000 people.
Many girls and women have limited access to health services, particularly maternal and reproductive care. This contributes to high rates of birth injuries. Early marriage, female genital cutting and a lack of education amplify the risks.
We have been engaged in Ethiopia since 2004, with a comprehensive range of projects focused on strengthening the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls.
Maternal mortality is high in Ethiopia. Many women lack access to health services during pregnancy and childbirth – because the few services available are too far away or too expensive. Our project enables women in the Gurage Zone to access competent perinatal care while strengthening local health services.
Every year in Ethiopia, more women develop fistulas as a result of birth complications than can be treated. For those affected, the consequences can be devastating: many live in isolation and extreme poverty. Our project supports fistula survivors through a comprehensive approach and involves them in efforts to prevent new cases.
In Ethiopia’s Somali Region, alarmingly high numbers of mothers and babies die during childbirth. Together with our trusted local partner and with the active involvement of the communities, we are strengthening health services for the long term – while also working towards the lasting elimination of female genital cutting.
Giving birth in Ethiopia is often life-threatening – partly due to the lack of well-trained midwives. In our project at St Luke’s Hospital, midwives receive practice-driven training so that they can provide competent care for mothers and newborns. In this way, we strengthen the long-term provision of healthcare in the region.
Programme Manager, Ethiopia
Country Director, Ethiopia
