THE ROLE OF ETHIOPIAN WOMEN LAWYER’S ASSOCIATION (EWLA) IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REVISED FAMILY LAW, AND PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN

Abstract

As is known, women have suffered different unfavorable conditions starting from their childhood. Their situation gets worsened when they get into marital lives as they don’t have the proper insight and knowledge on how to solve the problem they are facing. Established to solve the problem these women are facing, the Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association (EWLA), has started functioning in 1995. From the time of its establishment onwards, the Association has dealt with several issues concerning the Discrimination of Women, making Familial Issues its main concern. Analyzing the facts, gave rise for the need to conduct the study in the area. Thus a combination of Qualitative and Quantitative Methodologies, were used and a total of 63 persons were involved. 59 persons were selected to gather data in the quantitative aspect, with a Non- probability Quota Sampling Manner. Of these 50 were clients that comes to the Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association with familial cases where as where as 9 were professional that work in EWLA in full and part-time basis. Moreover, 5 people were also selected in a Non-Probability manner so as to supplement the response that was gained in quantitative method. The findings of the study indicated that EWLA is giving different services as Legal advice, Legal aid to the women that comes to the association. However it was also indicated there was problem in the perception of the people regarding EWLA’s work that need to be corrected by EWLA by focusing on the promotion, advertisement, public awareness raising aspects.