From Unseen Burdens to Shared Responsibility

Misra, a mother of seven living in Harar, carried a weight that few could see, let alone understand. With four daughters and three sons to raise, the pressure of running a household and trying to earn an income as a stay-at-home mother was overwhelming. She spent hours crafting traditional baskets, a skill she relied on for income. But each basket took nearly two months to complete, and by the time she sold one, the income was used instantly for basic necessities. Despite her effort, Misra felt she was always falling behind. 

The relationship with her husband was equally heavy. He believed that because she stayed home, her work was easier than his. When Misra tried to express how exhausted she felt, she was met with anger. Over time, she stopped talking about her needs, her struggles, and eventually her rights. Silence became her only way to keep peace in the house. She carried the home, the children, and the emotional weight of her family, completely alone. 

A turning point 

In April 2025, Misra’s life was to change for the better. She and four of her children joined a project under the family and community strengthening programme implemented by SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia with support from SOS Lapsikylä, known as strengthening the resilience of women and girls to live a life free from violence in Harari Region.

Her journey began with awareness training on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and it was the first time she learned that violence is not only physical. Emotional, economic, and psychological forms of abuse were realities she had lived without recognizing them as violations of her rights. As she connected her experiences to what she was learning, Misra felt clarity. She now understood that she had rights. She understood that her children had rights. And for the first time, she understood that she deserved respect, safety, and a voice inside her own home. 

Misra continued her learning with training on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), family health, hygiene, positive parenting, and environmental sanitation. These sessions gave her the tools to protect her family, promote their health, and build a home grounded in dignity and equality. As she grew more confident, her behavior began to change; she spoke more, engaged more, participated more, and found courage in understanding her rights. Her husband noticed her transformation. 

A household transformed 

Seeing the positive changes in Misra, her husband, Hussein, decided to attend the awareness sessions as well. Slowly, he began to see the unseen: the emotional labor, the caregiving, the household management, and the silent exhaustion his wife had carried for years. He realized that his role as a husband and father was more than providing income; it was listening, supporting, and sharing responsibilities. Their home began to change. Communication replaced silence. Respect replaced frustration. Teamwork replaced gender expectations. What began as Misra’s personal transformation became a transformation of the entire family. 

Economic empowerment 

Misra’s turning point deepened when she received business and entrepreneurship training, learning about planning, asset management, and sustainable income. With seed money and support from the project, she made a bold decision: she stopped weaving baskets and launched a new business selling fried potatoes and samosas. Her 18-year-old daughter joined her, turning the small enterprise into a shared family effort. 

The impact was immediate and powerful. Where she once waited two months for income, she now earns about 1,200 ETB per day. She covers the cost of raw materials, meets her family's needs, and saves 200 ETB daily through an Ekub. She has also joined a SACCO, strengthening her family’s financial future. Misra, once overwhelmed and undervalued, is now a provider, and businesswoman. 

“One day, I want to open a big supermarket. I believe I can do more” Misra shared.  

About the project 

The strengthening the resilience of women and girls to live a life free of violence project (2025–2027) aims to support 350 women-headed households and their 977 children including 465 girls, as well as 30,000 indirect participants in the wider community. The project focuses on ensuring that women and girls fully understand their rights and can access safe, inclusive services related to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), child protection, and women’s empowerment. 

In addition to supporting families directly, the project strengthens the decision-making power of women and girls within their households and communities. It also builds the capacity of women-led Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), and relevant government sectors, enabling them to more effectively promote gender equality, protect rights, and prevent GBV. 

*To respect the person's privacy, their real name has not been used.