(ለነገዋ ) From Despair to Dignity: Where Lenegwa gives women a second life

BY LULSEGED WORKU 

She is a young, striking woman dressed in Shiti, the traditional attire commonly worn in Dire Dawa. Despite her appearance, she bears the weight of a life marked by hardships; twelve years spent living on the streets. 

Her voice is deep, measured, and surprisingly composed, reflecting a maturity born from years of struggle. As she recounts her story, she fights back tears, the emotional toll evident in her eyes. Ruhama (a pseudonym chosen to protect her privacy) endured a life of chaos and pain, giving birth to two children amidst her turbulent existence. She placed one child in an orphanage center and entrusted the other to a woman considered to be the child's father. She did not know who the fathers were, and in one case, the true paternity remained uncertain.

“When a girl steps onto the street, she becomes like a ball, bouncing from one hand to another. One accepts her, then another. When you're on the street, you have nothing to control; the street controls you. Even those meant to protect, some law enforcers can be crueler than the life itself,” she said, her voice tinged with bitterness and resignation. While sharing her journey, she appears to be reading a book, an unusual sight for someone with such a turbulent past. 

Born in Dire Dawa, Ruhama’s childhood was one of desperation, marked by social isolation. In her early years, she left to Addis Ababa, fleeing both family troubles and societal rejection. The streets of Addis Ababa became her haven, and hiding place.

Over the years, she became accustomed to the vices of street life- drugs, alcohol, and more- each a testament to her resilience and the harsh realities she endured. Her twelve-year life on the streets exposed her to every conceivable hardship and suffering, yet her spirit endured.

As she spoke, I was overwhelmed. The professionalism that had brought me to her story faded away and gave way to compassion and sorrow. Tears welled in my eyes, a stark reminder of the profound humanity behind her pain—an individual’s resilience in the face of relentless adversity.

I met Ruhama at the ‘Lenegewa Women’s Rehabilitation and Skills Development Center’, a sanctuary where hope flickers amid despair. Today, many aspects of her life have begun to change. Thanks to the support of the Creator and the dedicated efforts of social workers, her bad habits are now behind her. Her transformation symbolizes not just personal recovery, but the potential for society to heal and renew.

Her story is one among many, yet it sheds light on the broader struggles faced by countless women, marginalized, victimized, and often forgotten in Ethiopia. The center’s work exemplifies a profound commitment to restoring dignity, fostering independence, and creating a future where women can reclaim their lives.

This experience also offered me a chance to hear from the General Director of Lenegewa Women’s Rehabilitation and Skills Development Center, Hirpassa Chala (PhD). His account of the center’s founding and mission illuminated a vision rooted in compassion, strategic intervention, and societal change.

“Our center was established in 2024, driven by the urgent need to address the social challenges faced by women living on the streets, many ensnared by addiction, poverty, and marginalization. When the current mayor took office, the streets of Addis Ababa were filled with young women, some as teenagers, caught in cycles of despair, begging, engaging in risky activities and trapped in substance abuse and exploitation. 

This was not a life they chose; it was forced upon them by circumstances beyond their control, poverty, family disintegration, peer pressure, or even coercion by illicit networks. Witnessing their suffering, government and community leaders felt an obligation to act. The aim was clear: to help these women regain independence, restore their dignity, and prevent future generations from falling into similar traps,” he said

According to him, from the outset, the Ethiopian government was committed to creating pathways for women to rebuild their lives. The initiative was spearheaded by the Addis Ababa City Administration’s Bureau of Women, Children, and Social Affairs, which set criteria for women to access the program. Women from diverse backgrounds, street vendors, returnees, those caught in addiction, were recruited based on need and eligibility. Their stories varied, but the common thread was a yearning for a second chance.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) attended the inauguration of the center, emphasizing the importance of social development focused on human dignity. His presence and words underscored the government’s recognition that empowering women is vital for national progress. The center’s core mission is to rehabilitate women who have faced social upheaval, those involved in sex work, struggling with drug abuse, or returning from challenging circumstances abroad, and to equip them with skills for sustainable livelihoods.

The approach within the center is structured yet compassionate. Women begin with a rehabilitation phase that lasts about one to one and a half months. During this time, they receive medical treatment, counseling, and psychosocial support. The goal is to detoxify from substances, address mental health issues, and rebuild self-esteem. Medical professionals, psychiatrists, religious leaders, and counselors work in tandem. Activities such as group discussions, sports, cultural events, and spiritual engagements are integral, recognizing that healing must be physical, emotional, and spiritual.

 Once women stabilize, they transition into vocational training tailored to local market demands, sewing, embroidery, urban agriculture, electrical work, plumbing, dairy farming, beauty services, food preparation, bread making, childcare, and IT skills. The diversity of options aims to match individual interests and local economic opportunities. The center believes empowerment goes beyond mere skills; it encompasses creating income opportunities and social integration.

Post-training, the focus shifts to job placement and entrepreneurship. The center maintains a network of government agencies, NGOs, and private sector partners committed to integrating women into the workforce. Support continues after graduation through regular follow-ups, mentorship, seed funding, and assistance in starting small businesses. The goal is to foster economic independence, reduce relapse, and promote social reintegration.

The results are encouraging. Over four cohorts, more than 1,492 women have graduated, many with inspiring success stories. One woman, who lived on the streets for over a decade, now runs a food stall earning a sustainable income. Others have become seamstresses, beauticians, dairy farmers, and entrepreneurs, some even employed others, creating a ripple effect of opportunity. One graduate now earns 20,000 Birr per month, a figure she once believed impossible. Her story embodies the transformative power of rehabilitation and skill development.

 However, the journey is fraught with challenges. Addiction remains a formidable obstacle. To combat this, the center employs medical detoxification, ongoing counseling, and spiritual support, often in collaboration with religious institutions. Behavioral challenges such as relapse or attempts to escape are managed through strict monitoring and community support. The center encourages women to develop a sense of patriotism and pride in their new identities, emphasizing that change is a gradual process requiring patience and perseverance.

The center’s impact extends beyond individual recovery. It promotes societal change, reducing crime, poverty, and social disintegration. Public awareness campaigns promote women’s dignity and the importance of social inclusion. The vision is to create a society where women are recognized as vital contributors to development, leaders, and role models.

Looking ahead, the center aspires to be a national model. Plans are underway to expand vocational offerings, establish more support centers, and promote women’s leadership. The government’s commitment remains unwavering, with regional initiatives echoing the success of Addis Ababa’s efforts. The ultimate goal is to eradicate the social issues that perpetuate street homelessness and addiction, replacing them with hope, opportunity, and dignity.

The story of Ruhama and the center’s work exemplifies resilience, compassion, and societal transformation. Every woman who walks through its doors is a testament to the potential for renewal. Empowering women is not just an act of charity; it is a strategic investment in the future of Ethiopia, a nation where every citizen can realize their full potential.

This ongoing journey requires patience and collective effort. The center’s achievements prove that with strategic support, empathy, and community involvement, profound change is possible. As Ethiopia strives for progress, the stories of women, like Ruhama, serve as beacons of hope reminders that even from the depths of despair, new beginnings can emerge. Their journey is a testament to human resilience, and a call for building a society founded on dignity, opportunity, and justice for all.