Promotion of Safer Migration

MCDP is cognizant of the fact that Ethiopia is one of the source and destination countries for trafficking in persons (both internally and externally), which, specifically includes forced labor and forced prostitution. It also recognizes thatthe prevailing deep rooted structural poverty and the resulting lack of economic opportunity and the gender imbalance to access to and control over resources and information are the main factors pushing unskilled migrants from rural areas to thegulf countries to seek employment and earn better living.

Nevertheless, women and girls, from all corners of Ethiopia, who are travelling to the middle east to serve as domestic workers are not only lack information regarding the the country they are going to work but they do not have the necessary basic skills and the language of the host community. As a result, they end up suffering from physical and sexual abuses to such extent that risked their life.

Hence in an effort to curb such problems, MCDP has secured fund from Geneva Global and the Freedom Fund to prevent Unsafe Migration. Accordingly MCDP has pursued awareness raising, economic empowerment and education to school girls, domestic worker and community’s member in its effort to prevent unsafe migration. Accordingly MCDP does the following:

1.   Awareness Raising program through

• Produce a Digital Green Film (Sibirat)and promoted the impacts unsafe migration to the Gulfs and Arabian;
• Experience sharing and Learning event among Returnees between them and girls and Domestic Workers who are prone to unsafe migration
• Produce and disseminate one working manual (Training manual on Prevention of Unsafe Migration);
• Educating community structures on migration through the existing MCDP Music and Drama club on prevention of unsafe migration and the necessary precautions measure if one decided to migrate;
• Broadcast programs on unsafe migration through FM radio and apply social media as an outlets.
• Community Conversation on Safer migration

2.  Education support: - for vulnerable domestic workers so that it enables them to continue their education properly and become self-supportive, self-awareness& critical thinker.

3.  Economic Empowerment through:

• Training on Basic Business Skills, Entrepreneurship, life Skill to Returnees;
• Provision of Startup/Seed Capital;
• Produce and assimilate working manuals (Training manuals on Prevention of Unsafe Migration);
• Provide vocational skill training on driving license, housekeeping, laundry services, Child Care, Food Preparation;
• Facilitate employment opportunity for trainees;
• Training on Migrants psycho-social support, guidance and counseling and safer migration for community workers.

4.   Networking and Coordination:

Collaboration with different stakeholders and partners including government who are working on similar issues.