AMN Plus-August 13, 2026
Addis Ababa Mayor Adanech Abiebie has congratulated 858 women who successfully completed the fifth round of vocational skills, rehabilitation, and character-building training at the Lenegewa Women’s Rehabilitation and Skills Development Center.
In a message shared on her official social media page, the Mayor described the initiative as one of the city administration’s key people-centered programs aimed at supporting women who had previously been living on the streets or facing difficult circumstances and various social challenges.
She said the program provides women with vocational skills, personal development training, and rehabilitation support, enabling them to overcome difficult circumstances and begin more dignified and productive lives.
“Through this initiative, we are helping them move away from difficult circumstances and begin better and more dignified lives,” Mayor Adanech said.
The Mayor noted that the graduates of the Lenegewa Center are among the clearest examples of the tangible results of efforts to build Addis Ababa where social justice is strengthened and longstanding social challenges are addressed and transformed.
Including the latest graduates, a total of 3,259 women have now completed training at the center and received support to enter the workforce, become self-reliant, and engage in productive and entrepreneurial activities.
According to Mayor Adanech, the program is not only helping beneficiaries build better lives but also enabling them to become self-reliant and serve as role models for others facing similar challenges. Addressing the graduates, the Mayor said they had already achieved an important victory by overcoming the hardships of their past.
“You have overcome the hardships of your past. Through the skills you acquired and the rehabilitation training you received during your time at the center, you have achieved an important victory today,” she said.
The Mayor further expressed confidence that the graduates would successfully navigate the challenges ahead, achieve their goals, and build brighter futures as they begin their professional journeys.