KMG Ethiopia, in partnership with WEEMA International, is implementing the project “The Trifecta Effect of Data, Health Extension Workers, and Women’s Empowerment” in Damboya Woreda, Kembata Zone, Central Ethiopia Region. The project is funded through the Trifecta Sub-Grant provided by WEEMA International and was implemented from May to December 2025.
The main objective of the project is to reduce gender-based violence (GBV) and harmful traditional practices (HTPs)—including female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), early marriage, and domestic violence—by empowering women and girls and enabling communities to take collective action for lasting change.
KMG Ethiopia applies a community-driven organizing model based on Community Conversation (CC) methodology. Trusted and influential community members—women, men, youth, religious leaders, elders, self-help groups, and Village Health Leaders—are trained as facilitators to lead structured dialogue sessions. Through open discussion, communities identify harmful practices, analyze their root causes, agree on solutions, and monitor progress. This approach is strengthened through male engagement dialogues, youth leadership training, uncut girls’ clubs, kebele-level Anti-HTPs platforms, and close collaboration with local government institutions.
During the reporting period, the project achieved significant results:
- 60 Community Conversation Facilitators trained and deployed across 20 kebeles
- 160+ community conversation sessions conducted, reaching nearly 1,000 participants
- 240 girls protected from attempted FGM/C
- 1,536 girls registered in Uncut Girls Clubs
- No reported child marriages among girls under 18 in the target areas
- Over 200,000 people reached through community radio awareness programs
- 600+ men engaged through peer-to-peer male dialogue initiatives
These achievements demonstrate that when communities are empowered to lead, harmful traditional practices can be challenged and abandoned, creating safer and more equitable futures for women and girls. 
