Rose Mestika
20 July 2008
Addis Ababa — A community-based program to empower women through economic independence has resulted in an improvement in the lives of women affected and infected by HIV/AIDS, CARE Ethiopia said on Wednesday.
Through increased financial independence, women are better able to assert their rights in the home and in broader community, Zemach Getahun, Income Advisor with CARE-Ethiopia said speaking at a press conference.
Zemach added CARE-Ethiopia took the initiative for the project particularly after observing that the microfinance system was not helpful for illiterate women.
"Then we make this project to consider the very poor and illiterate women," she said.
Zemach said the project was underway in Oromia and Amhara regional states, including Addis Ababa.
She said even though the scheme includes men, women are the principal beneficiaries.
The project has been undertaken by a consortium of NGOs which is led by CARE-Ethiopia. Since 2004, more than 9000 women in 500 associations in urban centers across Ethiopia have benefited from these community-led savings and loan projects, or micro-finance projects according to available information.
"Though saving is not easy when you don't have enough money; I am trying to save for the better life of my children," said Yeshewas Abate, one of the beneficiaries of the community-led savings and loan projects, speaking at an event organized to publicize achievement 's of the project and witness the improved life of the beneficiaries.
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