Summary of the 4th International Conference of Ethiopian Women in the Diaspora: The Role of Civil Society Organization in the 2015 Ethiopian Elections

The Center for the Rights of Ethiopian Women (CREW) held its fourth international conference of Ethiopian women in the diaspora on March 7, 2015 at Sheraton hotel in Silver Spring Maryland. The theme of the conference was “The Role of Civil Society Organizations in the 2015 Ethiopian Elections.”

The main objective of this conference was to examine the impacts of the 2009 Societies and Charities Law on the activities of nongovernmental organizations, including women’s organizations, which work in promoting the rights of citizens. Because of the 2009 CSOs Law, CSOs are not likely to have any impact in the upcoming 2015 elections. The conference was also to create enabling environment for networking among interested groups who are concerned about Society and Charities Law and its impact on human rights organization. Read more