Save the Children, enabling young women’s economic independence in Ethiopia.
Applying what we learned about economic empowerment programs in Jordan, EPSCF worked with Save the Children to create the Young Women’s Leadership and Economic Empowerment Program (LEEP) Academies in Ethiopia. LEEP Academies aims to make entrepreneurial success a reality for young women in Ethiopia while increasing their access to information on SRH so they can take control of their bodies and futures. The LEEP Academies work to strengthen young women’s aptitude in four pillars:
Managing & Growing a Business
Increasing Access to Capital
Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH)
Equitable Gender Roles
While Ethiopia is home to one of Africa’s strongest economies, 25% of its 120 million population lives in poverty. Young adults (15-29) comprise most of the workforce and are often underpaid, underemployed or unemployed due to low literacy rates, limited financial means, and restrictive gender norms. Young women are at a distinct disadvantage in this patriarchal society, which expects them to be caregivers and wives. Nearly half of all girls are married by the age of 18, with limited control over financial assets and other resources, and unintended pregnancies are common. These factors prevent women from starting or expanding their own businesses, which could lead to economic independence.
In 2020, the LEEP Academies pilot was launched in three districts in the Sidama Region of southwest Ethiopia. The primary objectives being to provide female entrepreneurs with the resources, training, and mentorship needed to grow their businesses, support their families, and become role models in their community. In 2022, EPSCF committed to further expansion of LEEP (2023-2026).
Key achievements during the latest reporting period (February 2024 — January 2025) include:
Enrolled 2,590 young women across three regions (Sidama, South Ethiopia, and Addis Ababa), bringing the project total to 3,746 participants
2,178 women completed entrepreneurship training, and 1,773 received leadership skills training
Established 494 Youth Economic and Social Groups (YESGs) with 2,602 members who collectively saved $53,965
Created a Women's Guarantee Fund (WGF) partnership with Sidama Bank to provide loans to YESGs at favorable rates
Renovated 9 Youth Empowerment Service (YES) Centers providing childcare, training, and SRH services
75.6% of participants increased their income, and 60.3% expanded or diversified their businesses
Businesses run by participants hired 539 new employees (390 female)
Trained 2,502 women on gender equality and gender-based violence (GBV) prevention, with 1,547 taking on leadership roles afterward
2,468 young women accessed SRH services at health facilities and SRH counselling services were delivered to 381 program participants (362 women and 19 men)
Trained 114 health workers (78 women and 36 men) on youth-responsive SRH services and established community-based Gender Equity and SRH Clubs
Conducted service mapping for GBV response services and posted provider information at YES Centers
Small business owner Bethlehem, age 20, said her participation in LEEP 1 gave her to the skillset to grow and expand her coffee and tea shop and support her family.
Young women engaged in shoe making business in Hawassa
“I learned how to effectively manage my business, increase my customer base and improve my savings. I am happy now, since I’m able to support my family and myself.”
LEEP helps women explore market-relevant businesses that may be untraditional for women in Ethiopia. Gemma now runs a successful tire and auto part business. This would not have been possible without the empowerment and support of LEEP.
LEEP participant from Boricha woreda
“Before I attend the training I was characterized by wasteful spending although I did not have much money. But now I am using both my time and money judicially. This is a remarkable change for me. Therefore, I communicate information or knowledge to other women about the benefits I reaped from the training.”
LEEP Participant from Hawassa