"Small organizations can accelerate change"

For her, her work at Women's Hope is a return to her roots: "WHI is the smallest organization I have worked for so far. But size has nothing to do with impact. So now I'm closer again to the people who should benefit from our projects." As a mother of two daughters herself, women's issues - their health, their rights - are important to her and very close to her heart.

"Ethiopia is in a difficult situation: There is the war in the Tigray region in the north, the Corona pandemic and the drought in the south. But the country has to deal with these problems. In doing so, we can also show that we as an organization can be part of the solution."

Currently, our Country Director is still establishing the headquarters in Ethiopia, getting an overview of the network and all stakeholders: "The program visits have been the highlights for me so far. Visiting the Hamlin Fistula Hospital and the Rehabilitation Center in Desta Mender was a beautiful moment. It gave me a concrete demonstration of why we are involved every day. It's impressive to see how you can actually have a lot of impact with few resources." While visiting the project in the Somali region of Jijiga, she was also impressed by how committed the men involved are to change. But she also notes, "but it's not going to be a free ride."

Ethiopia is in a difficult situation: There is the war in the Tigray region in the north, the Corona pandemic and the drought in the south. Many people are displaced, violence against women is omnipresent, and many girls have had to abandon their education.

"It's almost too much to hear all of this sometimes. But the country has to deal with these problems. They can't be denied and we as a civil society have to demand this. In doing so, we can also show that we as an organization can be part of the solution." Women's Hope brings knowledge and experience; about our know-how with grass-roots organizing and dealing with fragile circumstances we know from the context of other partner countries.

"As a small organization, we are more flexible and less burdened by bureaucratic processes. Since we're close to the different communities, we can also be more creative and innovative in proposing action."

Betseit sees the small size of Women's Hope in particular as a great opportunity:
"Being small does not mean having a small impact. As a small organization, we are more flexible and less burdened by bureaucratic processes. That means we can face challenges as they present themselves. The goals remain the same, but we are able to adapt the way we implement them. That's why small organizations can drive change. Since we're close to the different communities, we can be more creative and innovative in proposing action." Women's Hope simply needs to focus on its strengths - specializing in women's sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Cover picture: Desta Mender residents sewing as part of their sewing education; Photographer: Ania Gruca