The Network of Ethiopian Women's Associations (NEWA) is going to construct its own large four-storey building, but is yet to raise 39 million Br for the project.

The Addis Abeba City Administration granted the NEWA a 1600sqm plot of land, in Yeka District Kebele 16/17, free of lease for its building, which will be situated next to the Management Institute and the headquarters of the Ethiopian Economic Association (EEA).

Dara Construction Company has been selected for the construction of the building which Dynamic Planning has designed through a tender that it floated this year.

The cost of the building increased from 29 million Br to its current cost after being required to increase its height to comply with the city's development plans.

Following the new societies and charities law, the NEWA reregistered as a local nongovernmental organisation (NGO) in order to continue working on gender equality and women's empowerment, Saba Gebremedhin, executive director of the NEWA, told Fortune.

Previously, the NEWA had 42 member organisations, which was later reduced to only nine organisations, due to the new law. The other 33 formed the Ethiopian Resident Charitable Societies Consortium from the Union of Women Charitable Associations, which had been part of NEWA, according to Saba.

Previously, the NEWA used to receive foreign aid from the Netherlands, Ireland, the European Union (EU), Action Aid, the Packard Foundation, and United Nations organisations, which the network was able to secure before the new law to pay for the building's designs, she said.

Following its reregistration, only 10pc of its funds are now allowed to come from foreign sources as mandated by the proclamation. The NEWA has to come up with the entire project cost of the building from domestic sources.

The association is planning to finance the project through the sale of research data and by giving consultancy services and training. The NEWA is also calling the public to make financial contributions on the day of the official laying of the foundation stone on August 31, 2010.

"After some developments on the plot we have received, we will take loans from banks in order to finish the construction in one year" she said.

Once the building is constructed, the NEWA will use most of the building to generate income and to finance its human rights and advocacy activities.

The NEWA is a nongovernmental and nonpartisan organisation working for women and children, which was established in 2003.