Over the past several years, the partnership between UNFPA and the Government of Japan has been a lifeline for women, girls, and young people in Ethiopia. Guided by the priorities of TICAD and the Humanitarian–Development–Peace Nexus, this collaboration has reached some of the most vulnerable communities, delivering life-saving services, strengthening health systems, and restoring hope in regions hardest hit by conflict and climate-induced crises.
Between 2022 and 2025, Japan contributed over USD 4 million through multiple projects that expanded access to sexual and reproductive health services, strengthened the response to gender-based violence, and built resilience in crisis-affected areas. Nearly 220,000 women and girls directly benefited from these interventions, while close to 900,000 individuals gained indirect support across Amhara, Tigray, Benishangul-Gumuz, and Somali regions.
In February 2025, the TICAD project “Uplifting Voices: Advancing the Dignity and Empowerment of Women and Girls in Ethiopia” was launched in collaboration with ITOCHU Corporation. Through this initiative, ITOCHU transferred technology and skills to enable women to produce sustainable, absorbent sanitary products, improving menstrual health management while creating new livelihood opportunities. Already, more than 43,000 individuals have gained improved access to menstrual health, hygiene, and livelihood products and services.
This innovative approach has gone beyond addressing immediate humanitarian needs. It has enhanced human capital, empowered women and girls, and fostered youth-driven economic development. With complementary support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the partnership has amplified the impact of public–private initiatives, ensuring that investments in health and dignity also contribute to long-term resilience and sustainable development.
Together, UNFPA, Japan, and partners such as ITOCHU are proving that innovation, partnership, and solidarity can transform challenges into opportunities for dignity, empowerment, and peace.
