Author: Wondwosen Tilahun

Cultivating Change: WEE & AI Project Boosts Nutrition, Livelihoods, and Education in Afar

The Ethiopian Civil Society Coalition for Scaling Up Nutrition (ECSC SUN) has completed and handed over the Women’s Economic Empowerment & Adolescent Initiative (WEE & AI) pilot project in, Asayita Woreda, Afar Region. The project, implemented since February 2024, has delivered significant progress in nutrition, livelihoods, gender equality, and school-based learning. Improving Household Nutrition and Livelihoods During a field visit to selected households, delegates, constituted in partnership with Save the Children, Amref Health Africa, and Afar regional and Woreda structures, observed the positive results of livelihood inputs provided through the project. Families in Corodura Kebele, Asayita Woreda, received chickens, milking goats, vegetable seeds, and agricultural tools tailored to their needs. As a result, households reported increased poultry production, higher egg consumption, and improved access to diverse vegetables cultivated in home gardens. Project participants demonstrated innovative approaches to overcoming local challenges, including rainwater harvesting and the use of natural Neem-based pest control solutions. These efforts have contributed to stronger food security and more diversified diets for women, children, and adolescents. Promoting Gender-Responsive Development The project’s gender model family approach has helped shift traditional norms by encouraging men to share household responsibilities more equitably. Families such as that of Asaweka highlighted how shared childcare and domestic tasks are easing women’s workloads and promoting more balanced family roles. School Gardening Inspires Hands-On Learning At Wanis Primary School, a thriving school garden has become a standout achievement of the pilot. Students and teachers cultivate a variety of vegetables while learning practical agricultural skills. The school has also used the garden as a platform for awareness-raising on diversified diets, influencing both their families and the wider community. The Woreda Education Office expressed commitment to further strengthening school gardening efforts and linking them with school meal programs to ensure students benefit from nutritious, locally grown food. Strengthened Government Ownership and Next Steps During the handover workshop, the Asayita Woreda Livestock, Agriculture and Natural Resources Development Office and the Women & Social Affairs Office pledged to sustain the progress and expand best practices to additional kebeles. Government partners received certificates of appreciation in recognition of their leadership and collaboration throughout the project period. Officials and community members also acknowledged ongoing challenges, including seasonal variations in the Awash River and environmental pressures such as high temperatures and pests. While solar-powered irrigation technologies remain costly, project stakeholders encouraged continued adoption of low-cost, community-led solutions to maintain gardens and production. A Foundation for Sustainable Growth ECSC SUN National Lead, Mr. Abebe Bimerew, emphasized that the project’s success reflects strong community commitment and effective multi-sector collaboration. He encouraged stakeholders to continue strengthening nutrition-sensitive, gender-responsive, and climate-resilient practices built under the WEE & AI initiative. The handover marks an important step toward sustaining and scaling the impact of integrated nutrition and livelihood interventions across Afar.