With financial support from the French Embassy in Addis Ababa, APAP gave training to the leaders of the community-based organizations (CBOs) at the towns of Mizan and Hossaena—both of which are located in the SNNPR. The training was given at Mizan from June 25 to July 08, 2008, and at Hossaena from July 23 to August 01, 2008.

The 60 trainees—22 of whom were women—were drawn from the idirs, youth clubs, and women’s associations in the two towns.

The training comprised theoretical and empirical information regarding the promotion and protection of human rights as well as the basic procedural and substantive laws of the land, with a view to enabling the trainees to play the role expected of them. More specifically, some knowledge about basic laws and human rights was imparted to them through the training. That, APAP believes, will go a long way in enabling them to promote human rights, including the rights of women and children, within the communities they serve. Before they were given the training, nevertheless, the CBO leaders had no such knowledge.

What is more, the CBO leaders are expected to develop human-rights projects and implement them within their respective communities, with technical and financial support from APAP.