The Role of Self-Help Group in Empowering Commercial Sex Workers’ Livelihood in Addis Ababa: Implication to Social Work Practice

Abstract

The main objective of this paper is to assess the role of Self-help Group towards livelihood empowerment of commercial sex workers in Ethiopia. In Ethiopia, SHG is not a new phenomenon. A decade has passed as different humanitarian agencies in coordination with the government of Ethiopia have made huge effort to support the poor through SHG. Despite the effort in resource and time, surveys and research findings which depict the impact brought in the process have been hardly available at the national level. The study used qualitative research method. Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and Key informant interview tools were used for the purpose of data collection and analysis. The study was conducted in Addis Ababa ‘Cherkos area which is under ‘kirkos’ sub-city. A sample of 2 SHGs from 6 SHGs found in the study areas, Kebele 03 and 04, were selected using purposive sampling method. 50 CSWs have been taken to participate in the FGD whereas five SHG leaders, five ‘kebele’ officials and 2 project coordinating staffs were selected as key informants of the study. The significant finding in this study was related to how the self–help group could facilitate empowerment in the livelihood of CSWs as an individual or in a group context. Improvements regarding saving habits, members’ access to loan, wider opportunity to involve in individual and group businesses, and improved household consumption were mentioned as major benefits of involvement in SHGs. As the study is aimed to magnify the role of self-help group, limitations should be acceptable regarding identification of possible challenges and causes of failures in SHG implementation. The paper therefore, is assumed to serve as an input to make SHG oriented community programs to become more effective and to motivate institutions and experts involve in more organized and intensive assessment.