Rural Women Rise: Stories of Resilience and Leadership in Ethiopia

On October 15th, as we mark the International Day of Rural Women, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and leadership of women in rural communities. In Ethiopia, where women often face limited access to education, financial services, and leadership roles, programs like Digital Green’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are changing lives. These SHGs are more than just savings and loans—they are lifelines that offer women the chance to build confidence, leadership skills, and strong support networks that ripple across entire communities.

Digital Green has organized over 300 SHGs, empowering more than 7,600 women in Ethiopia. These women have collectively saved 19 million birr, and with the support of 8.3 million birr in capital funding, they’ve accessed loans to grow businesses, support their families, and invest in their futures. But beyond the numbers, it’s the personal stories of women like Belaynesh, Netsanet, and Gabite that truly showcase the impact of these groups.

For Belaynesh Fichola, a 30-year-old mother of three, the Dararcho SHG gave her the chance to rebuild her life after her husband’s death left her struggling to provide for her family. She began by selling fruits, but her business transformed when she secured a 6,000 ETB loan from the SHG. With that, Belaynesh started selling maize and flour, eventually expanding her business enough to buy livestock and create lasting stability for her children. Today, her assets are worth over 43,000 ETB, and her role in the community has grown too—she now serves as vice president of her SHG and a leader in women’s affairs in her kebele.

Netsanet Legamo, a 28-year-old from Bursa, used her SHG loan to support her family during a tough time. Despite having a teaching diploma, Netsanet couldn’t find work. When her husband fell ill, she took out a 5,000 ETB loan from her SHG, bought sheep, and slowly built a small livestock business. Her growing income allowed her to support her husband’s medical expenses and education, and today, she’s the primary earner in her household. Netsanet’s SHG not only helped her gain financial independence but also provided her with emotional support, helping her through a challenging period in her life.

For Gabite Kiea, a mother of six from Gucho village, the Elto SHG was a lifeline. After her husband passed away, Gabite struggled to run her small coffee shop. A 3,000 ETB loan from her SHG enabled her to start a poultry business, and with hard work, her income grew steadily. Gabite’s SHG didn’t just provide financial support—it offered her practical help, from plowing her fields to giving her the confidence to take charge of her family’s future.

These are just a few examples of the thousands of women in Ethiopia whose lives have been transformed through SHGs. By giving women access to financial tools, leadership training, and community support, these groups are creating lasting change—women are not only improving their own lives but also strengthening their entire communities.

As we celebrate the International Day of Rural Women, we’re reminded that empowering women empowers whole communities. Programs like Digital Green’s SHGs offer a path to financial stability, leadership opportunities, and a brighter future. There’s still more work to be done, but with continued support, more women will have the chance to rise above challenges and create lasting change for themselves and their families.

Let’s continue to invest in the strength of rural women. Their resilience, leadership, and ambition deserve our support—not just today, but every day.