ENWS and UN Women Host High-Level Private Sector Partnership Meeting to Advance Women’s Empowerment and Protection in Ethiopia
Addis Ababa, November 6, 2025 — In a landmark gathering to strengthen multi-sectoral collaboration for women’s empowerment, the Ethiopian Network of Women’s Shelters (ENWS), in partnership with UN Women Ethiopia, convened a high-level Private Sector Networking and Partnership Meeting. The event brought together CEO and Director-level representatives from leading private companies, government institutions, development partners, and ENWS member organizations to explore innovative strategies for supporting women and girls across Ethiopia.
The meeting served as a dynamic platform to discuss strategic Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and collaborative solutions to advance women’s safety, economic empowerment, and leadership. Senior representatives from ENWS and UN Women delivered opening remarks, underscoring the pivotal role of private sector engagement in sustaining programs that protect survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and create economic opportunities for women.
Through interactive presentations, ENWS member organizations shared compelling success stories from their shelters, highlighting transformative interventions in psychosocial support, economic reintegration, and skills development. In addition, the member organizations showcased artwork and vocational training results created by survivors, demonstrating the resilience, creativity, and entrepreneurial potential of the women supported by ENWS. These tangible examples illustrated the critical difference that targeted support can make in rebuilding lives and empowering survivors to thrive.
Participants engaged in high-level discussions on pathways for partnership, including seed funding, vocational and entrepreneurial training, employment opportunities, and market linkages. The dialogue emphasized mutual benefit, where businesses contribute to social impact while fostering inclusive growth and corporate accountability.
The event culminated in the signing of a CSR Partnership Commitment, through which participating companies pledged tangible support for ENWS and its member organizations. The commitment aims to strengthen sustainable, survivor-centered programs that expand access to safe spaces, economic opportunities, and leadership development for women and girls across Ethiopia.
“This high-level engagement represents a significant milestone in mobilizing collective responsibility across sectors,” said representatives from ENWS and UN Women. “Empowering women and ending gender-based violence require concerted action, strategic partnerships, and long-term commitment from all stakeholders.”
The meeting highlights a shared vision of ENWS and UN Women: building sustainable, collaborative, and impactful approaches that ensure every woman and girl in Ethiopia has the opportunity to live free from violence, access economic and social opportunities, and realize her full potential.
