Empowering Advocates : ESOG , IPAS and SPHMMC to Host Major Abortion Communication Training in Addis Ababa
In a concerted effort to address the communication challenges surrounding reproductive rights, a comprehensive two-day Abortion Communication Training is scheduled for August 13 and 14, 2026, at the Elilly International Hotel.
The Ethiopian Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ESOG) , IPAS and SPHMMC co-hosted the event, which aims to equip community leaders, advocates, and medical professionals with the critical skills needed to advance abortion access and increase public awareness.
On August 13, the program formally began at 9:00 AM with introductory remarks detailing the main goals of the workshop. The public health consequences of limited access to abortion will be the first topic of discussion in the morning sessions. In order to establish an informed, fact-based tone for the talks, trainer Dereje from IPAS is scheduled to offer persuasive data and evidence.
Dr. Kidist Lemma of St. Paul’s Hospital Millenium Medical College (SPHMMC) provided expert insights during a deep dive into Values Clarification and Attitude Transformation (VCAT) later in the morning.
The afternoon transitions from introspection to outreach to the outside world after lunch. A workshop on the subtleties of abortion language and the development of persuasive, compassionate messaging was delivered by Dr. Kidist. Participants then divide into groups to create mini-campaign plans, which allows them to put their newly learned abilities to use in real time and bridge theory and practice. To summarize the day’s lessons, a thorough overview will be presented at the end of the first day.
The second day, August 14, pivoted toward modern advocacy tools. Hanna from APH kicks off the morning with a session on digital advocacy, exploring innovative strategies for leveraging digital media to expand reach and impact.
Equipped with new digital strategies, participants improved their advocacy messages and took part in peer-review sessions where they presented their drafts and got helpful criticism to make them as persuasive as possible.
A recap of the main lessons learned and a pledge from all participants to use their improved communication skills in their various circles of influence marked the conclusion of the program.
According to the organizers, this program is a priceless chance for anyone working in community health, activism, or public policy pertaining to reproductive healthcare. The event intends to create a more knowledgeable, encouraging, and caring atmosphere about abortion access in Ethiopia by promoting transparent, fact-based discourse.