CAWEE hands over tourism-driven lroject in Lalibela, strengthening women’s role in local economy

Addis Ababa, April 23, 2025 — The Center for Accelerated Women’s Economic Empowerment (CAWEE) officially handed over its landmark “Visit Lalibela” project to the St. Lalibela City Labor and Skill Office today, concluding a one-year initiative that trained and empowered 100 marginalized women in the historic city of Lalibela through tourism-focused skills development.

Funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) under the Special Initiative “Decent Work for a Just Transition” and implemented by GIZ GmbH, the project provided vocational training in four key sectors: leather craftsmanship, pottery, honey production, and tour guiding. It was launched in November 2023 and will formally conclude in mid-May 2025.

The handover ceremony took place at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Addis Ababa in the presence of senior government officials, religious leaders, and project beneficiaries. Dignitaries included State Minister of Tourism Sileshi Girma; His Eminence Abune Ermias, Bishop of the North Wollo Diocese, Member of the Holy Synod and Patron of the St. Lalibela Churches; representatives from the House of People’s Representatives; the Ministry of Labor and Skills; the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs; the Mayor of St. Lalibela City; and heads of relevant bureaus.

In total, 15 women were trained in leather craftsmanship, 15 in pottery, 50 in honey production, and 20 in tour guiding.

The project facilitated skills training, provision of raw materials and equipment, market linkages, and the legal formation of women’s associations. All leather craftsmanship trainees passed the Certificate of Competence (COC) exam, while tour guide trainees are currently preparing for certification.

During the event, it was noted that tour guiding in Lalibela remains male-dominated, underscoring the project’s significance in shifting gender dynamics in the sector.

The initiative also produced knowledge tools including training manuals, baseline surveys, monitoring reports, a honey production potential study, and a locally tailored tour guide script for female guides.

In her remarks at the ceremony, CAWEE Executive Director Dr. Nigist Haile highlighted the organization’s commitment to transforming the lives of vulnerable women and emphasized CAWEE’s continued role in connecting women entrepreneurs to foreign markets.

Tourism State Minister Sileshi Girma praised the project as a timely contribution to the government’s broader macroeconomic reforms.

He stressed that tourism has received renewed attention in recent years, pointing to new and revitalized destinations—such as national parks and eco-villages developed under initiatives like “Dine for Nation”, “Dine for Sheger”, and “Dine for Generation”—as tangible outcomes of these reforms.

The State Minister also acknowledged the signif8cance of the project implemented by CAWEE in advancing government strategies and efforts in the tourism sector.

As part of its sustainability strategy, CAWEE is transferring all project assets to the local government and has established a steering committee, led by the St. Lalibela City Labor and Skill Office, to oversee continued coordination.

The office will provide close follow-up and support to ensure the women’s groups can independently operate, while CAWEE will continue facilitating market access both locally and internationally, Dr. Nigist confirmed whioe speaking to FMC.

Established in 2004 under the authorization of the then Ministry of Trade and Industry, CAWEE has long been a pioneer in women’s economic empowerment, helping women transition from low-income backgrounds to skilled entrepreneurs.

It was mentioned that the “Visit Lalibela” project stands as a model of how tourism and heritage-based initiatives can drive inclusive and sustainable development for women across Ethiopia.