Leadership and organizational management training for the members of domestic workers associations

Mulu Tesfa Domestic Workers Association (MTDWA) with the support of ILO/FAIRWAY is organizing a four-day leadership and organizational management training for selected leaders of several domestic workers associations from Amhara region. The training started from 08 December 2022 in Bahir Dar City, Amhara Region will conclude on 11 December. 22 leaders from eight domestic workers associations established in five different zones of Amhara region are participating in this capacity building training. Out of total 22 women leaders, six are returnee migrant workers who were served as domestic workers in different Arab countries.

The training is being organized with objectives of strengthening leadership skills and the capacity to effectively manage the associations. Such strengthened capacity is expected to support associations' leaders to organize more domestic workers and provide vibrant leadership to protect rights and promote welfare of domestic workers. First day of the training was more focused on the leadership aspects and was dealing with issues such as need and importance, characters, skills, types of leadership and techniques to be a good leader.

MTDWA has already organized above 5,000 domestic workers through 37 registered associations across six different cities in Amhara region. A year long partnership between ILO/FAIRWAY and MTDWA started from July 2022, is supporting MTDWA to implement various activities helping them to enhance organizational capacity and strength. This strength is expected to achieve through strong and bigger associations capable to advocate for and protect rights of domestic workers including domestic migrant workers returned from abroad.

The training organized is one among different activities planned with the support of FAIRWAY. Through this partnership, MTDWA has mobilized six outreach workers and volunteers in six cities and started organizing domestic workers into the associations. It has already formed four new associations with total of 214 women domestic workers as members. In order to effectively handle the grievances of domestic workers, MTDWA has also established a help desk with a dedicated staff at its main office in Debre Markos.