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Internantional Conference of Ethiopian Women in The Diaspora

March 9-march 11, 2012

Washington, DC, USA

Call for Papers

Sixteen Ethiopian women who live in different states and cities in the United States met at Howard University in Washington, DC on October 15, 2011 and discussed the current situations of Ethiopian women at home and in the Diaspora. At the end of the meeting, they decided to organize an international conference of Ethiopian women in the Diaspora. The purpose of the conference is to freely discuss issues that concern Ethiopian women at home and abroad. The participants of the October 15^th meeting created a conference coordinating committee called Ethiopian Women Conference Coordinating Committee (EWCCC). EWCCC is not affiliated with any political, government or civic organizations. It is an independent body created to organize the international conference.

The theme of the conference is “Empowering Ethiopian Women and Advancing Their Rights.” The conference will be held in March, during International Women’s month. It will be from March 9 to March 11, 2012, in Washington, DC, USA. All women interested in issues pertaining to Ethiopian women are invited to present papers in the areas listed below. Women of Ethiopian descents are highly encouraged to present papers. Comparative studies (comparing Ethiopia to other countries) will be accepted.

1. History of Ethiopian women’s movements

2. Women and the current economic conditions in Ethiopia

3. Education of women in Ethiopia

4. Political participation of women in Ethiopia and the Diaspora

5. Women’s participation in social justice movements

6. Women’s participation in leadership positions

7. Health issue of women (reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, access to health facilities, etc.)

8. Migration (forced and/or voluntary migration, internal displacement, migration of labor)

9. Employment Opportunities for Women in Ethiopia (informal and formal sectors, workplace safety, gender equality at workplace, etc.)

10. Environment in Ethiopia and its Impact on Women

11. Violence against Women (domestic violence, early marriage, Female Gentile Mutilations (FGM), etc.)

12. Women, Peace and human rights

13. Women’s organizations (history, strengths and challenges)

14. Women in the media (coverage of women’s issues, women’s access to media)

15. Social issues in Diaspora women (acculturation, raising children, marriage, substance abuse, etc.)

16. Emerging Voices: Young Ethiopian women’s views

The deadline for submitting an abstract of a paper is January 10, 2012. The abstract should not be more than two paragraphs (300 words or less). The presentations can be in English or Amharic. Interested presenters will be notified of approval of their abstracts by January 31,2012. Selected presenter will be requested to prepare a twenty-minute presentation. We also request a written version of your presentation (in English or Amharic) in order to publish the proceedings of the conference in due time.

Please send your abstracts to Program Committee at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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PRESS RELEASEMARCH 8, 2011

On this International Women’s Day, March 8^th, we would like to focus on the plight of Ethiopian women who are working in the Middle Eastern Arab countries.

The political and economic situations in Ethiopia have been the root causes for Ethiopian women and men leaving their country. We understand that in a global economy of the 21century, people migrate in search of economic opportunities or political freedom. Our concern, however, is the deplorable working conditions of Ethiopian women in the Middle Eastern Arab countries.

It is reported that Ethiopian women who are working in the Middle Eastern Arab countries are facing untold hardship and suffering under their employers. Most of the Ethiopian women are working as housemaids and are treated inhumanly by their employers. Many reported that their female employers beat them or their men employers sexually assault them. In few incidents, Ethiopian women are thrown through windows and some died and others became severely disabled. Some women reported that their female employers dumped hot water on their faces. Many became mentally ill due to the tremendous hardship they faced and they are sent back to their country. In some cases, Ethiopian women committed suicide.

Due to the economic hardships in Ethiopia, Ethiopian parents borrow money to send their daughters and sons to Arab countries so they can work and send money home. Most families pay whatever it is required by “employment agencies” that facilitate the trips for their daughters. Some parents sell their meager possessions to send their daughters abroad. However, for many of them who left their country for better opportunities, life has been a nightmare.

With the current political uprising engulfing North Africa and the Middle Eastern Arab countries, the fate of Ethiopian women workers in these countries is even more dangerous. A case in point is the situation of Ethiopian workers in Libya. Hundreds of them are stranded in Libya unable to repatriate to their country. Men are beaten for suspect of being mercenaries and women are sexually assaulted.

On this International Women’s Day, We are appealing to humanitarian and human rights organizations to be aware of the cruel and inhuman conditions of Ethiopian women workers in many Middle Eastern Arab countries. Countries that import human labor must be urged to respect the basic human rights of their foreign workers.

The dubious “employment agencies” that send young Ethiopian women to inhumane working conditions should be held accountable by Ethiopian government.