She was among the 7 candidates nominated to receive the award this year. She won the prize for the relentless efforts she made to improve the lives of women.

AWSAD is one of the partner organizations of UNFPA on the Prevention of Violence Against Women Programme which is being undertaken in six Regions of the country with funding from the Royal Netherlands Embassy. AWSAD is operating two safe houses in Ethiopia for survivors of violence providing various skills and vocational trainings as well as giving counseling to enable them cope better when they go out. The survivors are allowed to stay in the safe house until they finish medical treatment or until their court cases are put to rest.

AWSAD is the pioneer in establishing a safe house in Ethiopia. Law enforcement bodies are continuously referring cases to the safe house resulting for its operation over capacity.

It is to be recalled that AWiB's Women of Excellence Award was won last year by Ms. Trhas Mezgebe, Executive Director of the Mujejeguwa-Loka Women Development Association - another partner organization of UNFPA on the Prevention of Violence Against Women Programme.