Faith Leaders Driving Change for Women and Girls
What if one of the most powerful tools for advancing gender equality was already embedded within communities themselves?
One Thread Can Change a Life
For many women in Ethiopia, work is about more than earning an income. It is about security, dignity, and the ability to make their own choices. Through handwoven textiles, Sabahar is creating new opportunities, one thread at a time.
Sabahar is an Ethiopian, women-owned social enterprise that has been producing handwoven textiles from locally sourced cotton for more than 20 years. Today, the women who work at Sabahar do much more than weave textiles. Their work helps provide education for their children, financial stability for their families, and greater confidence in planning for the future.
Every product is made by hand, from spinning and dyeing the yarn to weaving on traditional looms. Skills and knowledge passed down through generations continue to thrive through the work of Sabahar's artisans.
Quality and opportunity
Today, Sabahar provides stable employment and reliable income for more than 100 artisans, the majority of whom are women. Employees receive fair wages, safe working conditions and long-term employment opportunities, benefits that remain out of reach for many workers in the textile industry.
For many women, this means far more than having a job. It provides financial independence, security for their families, and the freedom to make decisions about their own lives. When women have control over their income, their influence and voice often grow as well, both within their households and in their communities.
Shared values
This is one of the reasons Norwegian Church Aid works with Sabahar. We share a commitment to human dignity, social justice, and lasting change. Sabahar demonstrates how business can contribute to positive social impact, combining craftsmanship, sustainability and fair employment practices.
In a world where so much is produced quickly and cheaply, Sabahar represents a different approach. Theyprioritise quality, careful craftsmanship and respect for both people and the environment. Its textiles are made from 100 per cent Ethiopian cotton and are designed to be durable, timeless and long-lasting.
Creating change together
Sustainable change often grows from local initiatives that strengthen communities and create opportunities. By supporting enterprises such as Sabahar, women gain access to decent work, stable incomes and greater economic independence.
Stories like Sabahar's remind us that development is not only about immediate assistance. It is also about creating opportunities, investing in people's skills, and supporting solutions that enable communities to thrive over the long term.
Some of Sabahar's handcrafted products are also available through Norwegian Church Aid's online shop in Norway. By choosing these products, supporters not only contribute to our humanitarian work but also help sustain an Ethiopian social enterprise that creates jobs, promotes fair working conditions and strengthens opportunities for women.
Sometimes, meaningful change begins quietly, woven into everyday life, one thread at a time.
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