COVID-19 Interventions Support has Left Commercial Sex Workers Behind

Commercial sex workers make up one of the most stigmatized group of people outcast by society. With the advent of COVID-19 in Ethiopia and the subsequent strains on normal social interactions, commercial sex workers have been forced to refrain from sexual engagements with their clients. The latter have also quit visiting sex workers. The situation has left the commercial sex workers with quite a predicament as their dried income makes it hard for them to pay for food and rent while breaching social distancing rules could jeopardize their health as well as those around them. EBR’s Kiya Ali looks into the matter.

Just a month after Ethiopia reported its first case of Coronavirus, schools were closed and students were told to stay at home. The intention was clear. It was implemented to protect them from the deadly virus. Unfortunately, some of the students were confronted with other major challenges at home. Some girls have been forced to get married, while a considerable numbers were raped and a lot were sexually abused. An unfortunate few also got pregnant after being raped by family members. EBR’s Kiya Ali reports.

Despite primarily being a health problem, COVID-19 has numerous economic, social and political attributes. The combined effect of the socio-economic problems of the pandemic, in turn, have the potential to raise some other health problems. With stay at home orders, high potential for social crisis, unemployment and perceived threat of losing loved ones during the pandemic, a suitable condition has been created for depression to rise. EBR’s Kiya Ali takes a closer look at the problem.

There is a new found love for hiking in Addis Ababa. Suddenly, expats and Ethiopia’s emerging middle class have started to gather themselves in groups and hike the mountains in and around Addis Ababa. The activity has picked up pace in the past few years and companies have now jumped in to tap into this growing business. EBR’s Kiya Ali looks into the growth of the business and the challenges it is prevailing over.

Ethiopia’s Big Worry

In Ethiopia, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for 46Pct of causalities. This is largely attributed to the rise in the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases—a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels—and cancer. Although NCDs are preventable by reducing tobacco, alcohol, and unhealthy diets as well as increasing physical activity, this does not seem to be achievable anytime soon. World Health Organization (WHO) predicted Ethiopia needs to invest ETB242.2 billion over the next 15 years to prevent one million premature deaths caused by NCDs. EBR’s Ermias Mulugeta spoke with patients, government officials, and health professionals to shed light on the matter.

Major traffic accidents have become an everyday occurrence in today’s Ethiopia. Traffic accidents killed more than 5,118 people during the past fiscal year alone. Beyond the statistic, there is the story of a father or mother, a son or daughter, a brother or sister, a grandchild, a colleague, or a classmate or friend whose life has been distorted in an instant by a road accident. EBR’s Ermias Mulugeta explores.

Abebech Gobena defines selfless giving, even losing her marriage to help someone in dire need of help. Life-long friends and colleagues witness her altruistic acts. Indeed, she is a living testament that someone’s inner candle will not go off as long as it lights up another candle. Her endeavors range from caring for children in need as well as economically developing other members of her community. Her work is perhaps the first of its kind in Ethiopia—an inspiration to many—and her name and goodwill will live long. EBR’s Kiya Ali looks into this exceptional woman’s life and work.

In the past, very few traditional/ cultural restaurants operated in Addis and most of them were criticized for lacking diversity and failing to portray the culture and foods of all Ethiopians. Lately however, traditional restaurants specialized on the foods of a certain ethnic group are rising. Among them are Sidama, Wolayita and Oromo (Wollega) traditional food restaurants. EBR’s Kiya Ali explores.

Neither homeless people nor street children are not new to Addis Ababa. They have existed for decades along with the growing urbanization in the country. Now it is believed that there are more than 150,000 street children and homeless people in Ethiopia and more than half of them live on the streets of the capital. The problem is far from over, even after the rehabilitation programs implemented by the city administration, federal government, and NGOs. EBR’s Kiya Ali writes.

Infrastructure Developments Fail to Accommodate the Needs of Disabled Persons

Despite accounting for 17.6Pct of the population, people with disabilities are often note very well taken into consideration in many development projects in Ethiopia. Most Infrastructure is developed without taking into consideration their mobility and other physical challenges. For the deaf or visually impaired, most of the streets are not friendly. While sidewalks end abruptly and ramps which are the only means of getting in and out of premises, are so steep that wheelchairs sometimes overturn. In addition, apartment houses are constructed without accommodating the special needs of people with disabilities, as is with malls and buildings of government offices which are built recklessly with no elevators and ramps. EBR’s Kiya Ali explores.