ETHIOPIAN WOMEN'S ALLIANCE IN VICTORIA

የኢትዮጵያ ሴቶች ሕብረት በቪክቶሪያ

About Us

Ethiopian Women’s Alliance in Victoria (EWAV) was formed in 2016, founder Emayenesh Seyoum who, with a group of like-minded Ethiopian women recognised that as linguistically, ethnically and religiously diverse community, the Ethiopian community in Victoria was ready for a more unified and collaborative approach to tackling the complex problems experienced by individuals and families. By working with women, the founders believed, EWAV could begin to tackle issues rather than focus on particular linguistic, ethnic and religious groups. As EWAV grew, more and more women joined with the same commitment to service to community; to focusing on supporting and empowering women as they navigate settlement, working and raising Ethiopian-Australian children; and to building one community in Victoria.

Our Vision

A unified and thriving Victorian Ethiopian community where women and youth are connected and supported to achieve their full potential

Our Mission

We work with our diverse Ethiopian communities to empower women and build a unified, thriving Victorian Ethiopian community.

Our Values

Respect for women and the linguistic, religious and culturally diverse communities they come from.
Empowerment of women at the individual level and as a collective of diverse Ethiopian women in Victoria.
Trust in the people we assist and support, in our members and colleagues and in the communities we come from
Transparency in the way we do our work, in our accountability to community and our funders Empathy and fair treatment for all people we come across.

Our Work

The Mother’s Day/Family Day celebration is our key event which we use as an avenue to raise awareness on social and health matters. Our recent work & activities include:

Youth Mental Health

Let’s Get Active Together: we worked in partnership with the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, the City of Maribyrnong and other community services and associations to raise awareness on the power of sport for young people and to prevent and minimise the harm caused by alcohol and other drugs.
Invite professionals to run educational seminars on youth mental health. For example, in 2017, Professor Patrick McGorry was invited to run a seminar on youth mental and substance abuse, this was important to highlight how intergenerational gaps can affect youth mental and where to access support services.

Family Violence Prevention

Launched a panel discussion on family violence and its impact on children.
Community webinar seminars focusing on the cause of unhealthy relationships specific to the Ethiopian and Eritrean community

Community Support

We have provided support to vulnerable people in our community including newly arrived and asylum seekers of Ethiopian heritage through fundraising initiatives and linking them to mainstream services and people within the community.

Let's Connect

We recently started a YouTube channel series called Let’s Connect. In this program we discuss issues and challenges relevant to the community. We interview community members including kids to discuss their understanding of the different social issues and to celebrate their cultural heritage and identity.

COVID-19 Support

Created community connections and participation (via Zoom) during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce loneliness and isolation in the Ethiopian community in Victoria.
Increase awareness of the importance of mental wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic
Provide translated COVID-19 updates and information in Amharic