Project Status on September 30, 2024

Project Implementer: Center for Empowerment Ethiopia (CEE)

Project Donor: National Endowment for Democracy (NED)

Objective: To raise awareness and strengthen the protection of human rights for minorities and marginalized groups, specifically the Manja and Mana communities in the Konta Zone, Southwest Ethiopia. Summary

The project “Strengthening the Protection of Human Rights of Minorities and Marginalized Groups in the Konta Zone,” implemented by the Center for Empowerment Ethiopia (CEE), aimed to empower the marginalized Manja and Mana communities through human rights awareness and advocacy. Key activities from July to September 2024 included a workshop on lessons learned, revitalization of Community-Based Networks (CBNs), a consultative dialogue to enhance stakeholder cooperation, a policy assessment, and training sessions on policy advocacy. Noteworthy achievements include the development of advocacy plans, revitalized CBNs, and increased leadership opportunities for members of the Manja community. Despite challenges such as community resistance and policy implementation gaps, the project made strides in advocacy, peacebuilding, and economic empowerment for marginalized women. The next phase will focus on finalizing advocacy plans, organizing events, and continuing engagement with stakeholders to enhance policy implementation for minority rights and monitoring and evaluation of the success, challenges and creating remedial solutions.