Biruh Tesfa provides domestic workers, orphans, and migrants in urban Ethiopia with social support, HIV education, and skills

Authors

Annabel Erulkar, Population Council
Belaynesh Semunegus, Population Council
Gebeyehu Mekonnen, Population Council

Document Type

Brief

Publication Date

2011

Abstract

In Ethiopia, the HIV epidemic is increasingly urban and female. An estimated 7.7 percent of the urban population in Ethiopia is HIV-positive, compared with less than 1 percent of the rural population. Nationally, the female-to-male ratio of HIV infection is 3 to 2. Girls who migrate from rural to urban areas may be less protected, more vulnerable to violence and sexual abuse, and less equipped to avoid abusive situations—all of which may increase HIV risk. The Biruh Tesfa (“Bright Future”) program addresses the social isolation of out-of-school adolescent girls aged 10–19, including rural-to-urban migrants, domestic workers, and orphans. Using a group-based mentoring model, the girls build their social capital and gain access to basic literacy, skills, and information about HIV, reproductive health, and gender-based violence. As noted in Promoting Healthy, Safe, and Productive Transitions to Adulthood Brief No. 21, the project is implemented by the Bureaus of Youth and Sports in Addis Ababa and Amhara regions and several kebele administrations. The Population Council provides technical assistance and conducted the evaluation of the pilot project.

DOI

10.31899/pgy12.1032

Language

English

Comments

Also available in French.

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Recommended Citation

Erulkar, Annabel, Belaynesh Semunegus, and Gebeyehu Mekonnen. 2011. "Biruh Tesfa provides domestic workers, orphans, and migrants in urban Ethiopia with social support, HIV education, and skills," Promoting Healthy, Safe, and Productive Transitions to Adulthood Brief no. 21. New York: Population Council.

Project

Biruh Tesfa (“Bright Future”)