In the heart of Jimma, conversations about gender, equality, and community change are beginning to take root in new and hopeful ways. Through the Grow Equal Project, SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia has been working with religious, cultural, and opinion leaders in Mendera Kochi and Jiren Kebeles, people whose influence shapes everyday life for families and children.
Recently, a Gap Analysis on the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) of these local leaders uncovered valuable insights into how social and gender norms are understood and acted upon and what can be done to accelerate positive change.
Understanding the power of local leadership
In communities like Jimma, religious and cultural leaders play a central role in defining what is acceptable, what is celebrated, and what is discouraged. Their words carry weight influencing how families make decisions about education, marriage, and the roles of boys and girls.
The KAP assessment set out to understand three key things:
- What do community leaders know about gender equality and child protection?
- How do their attitudes shape their behavior and guidance to others?
- What barriers and opportunities exist for promoting gender-equitable norms?
Key findings: Awareness with a path forward
- The findings revealed both progress and persistent challenges. Many leaders expressed strong awareness of children’s rights and the importance of education but traditional gender stereotypes remain deeply rooted.
- Early marriage and unequal division of household roles are still viewed by some as part of cultural practice.
- Female participation in leadership remains limited due to perceptions about women’s capabilities.
- However, many leaders showed genuine openness to dialogue and learning, especially when gender equality is framed in ways that align with community values and faith principles.
Encouragingly, several leaders have already begun to act speaking publicly against child marriage, supporting girls’ education, and advocating for shared parenting responsibilities. These examples demonstrate that change is not only possible, but already underway.
A way forward: Engaging trusted voices for change
The study emphasizes that real and lasting transformation must begin with the people communities trust most. To build on this momentum, SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia and its partners are focusing on:
- Creating safe spaces for dialogue where religious, cultural, and opinion leaders can reflect, share, and challenge harmful norms together.
- Strengthening leaders’ capacity to communicate gender equality messages in culturally resonant ways.
- Supporting peer learning and mentorship, where progressive leaders can influence others through example.
- Connecting community efforts to national gender and child protection frameworks to ensure consistency and sustainability.
Why it matters
Shifting attitudes at the community level is essential for achieving gender equality and protecting children from discrimination and violence. Policies can create frameworks for change, but beliefs and behaviors determine whether those changes truly take hold in daily life.
By engaging influential community leaders, the Grow Equal Project is helping reshape the social fabric making space for girls and boys to learn, dream, and grow equally.
A shared vision for equality
The Jimma KAP study is more than research. It is a roadmap for transforming awareness into action. It highlights that lasting change starts when dialogue replaces silence, when leaders model the values of inclusion, and when communities take ownership of their future.
Through partnership, persistence, and the power of trusted voices, SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia continues to build stronger, fairer, and more compassionate communities, one conversation at a time.
This assessment was conducted under the Grow Equal Project in collaboration with government institutions, civil society organizations, and local community structures in Jimma.
Read the full assessment report here: Gap-Analysis-SOS-Children-s-Village-Jimma-Program-Location