Behafta Redai leads one of the strongest Village Economic and Social Association (VESA) groups in Emba Alaje woreda. Behafta Abrha chairs the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Committee (WASHCO) in Meda Ayder village and has overseen community contributions of ETB 65,000 (~€356) to maintain the local water scheme. Both were elected to their roles through the Healthy Village programme — and both are among 11 WASHCO chairpersons across the district who are women. 

The Healthy Village programme, implemented by Plan International Ethiopia in consortium with Max Foundation, works in Emba Alaje district, southern zone of Tigray region. Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Committees (WASHCOs) were established to manage constructed water schemes, and VESA groups were formed to give community members access to savings and financial products. The programme engaged government partners to ensure equal representation of women in both structures and provided leadership training to elected women leaders. Across Emba Alaje, all 11 WASHCOs are chaired by women, who hold 48% of WASHCO leadership positions overall. Women account for 50% of VESA membership and hold 45% of VESA governance roles. 

Behafta Redai, 42, lives in Mender Misreta village, Atsela Kebele, Emba Alaje district. Community members elected her to lead the 30-member VESA group formed in her village in June 2024, recognising her as someone known for mediating disputes. She initially hesitated — concerned that her inability to read and write would prevent her from managing the role. The group resolved this by appointing a vice-chairperson to handle reading and writing, and she received VESA methodology training through the programme. “At first, I was happy to be nominated, but I was hesitant because I cannot read and write,” she said. “But they assured me that the vice-chairperson would help me with writing, and I eventually agreed to take on the leadership.” 

Her VESA is now one of the strongest performing groups in the woreda. “I encourage all women not to limit themselves to household roles,” she said. “They should seize the opportunity to participate in leadership positions in social structures, such as VESA groups. Women are capable of leading and managing groups effectively.” 

Behafta Abrha, 37, is the WASHCO chairperson in Meda Ayder village, Egri Albe Kebele. After her nomination, she organised community labour contributions to build a protective fence around the local water source. Community members contributed ETB 45,000 (~€247) in labour and deposited ETB 20,000 (~€110) in a dedicated maintenance account. The WASHCO now operates the scheme on a financially sustainable basis, collecting regular user fees to cover upkeep and spare parts. 

With the water scheme maintained, Meda Ayder village has reliable access to safe drinking water. “Now, we have clean water, my children are healthy, and I feel proud to lead our community in taking care of it,” said Behafta Abrha. The woreda is working to scale the model — with equitable representation of women in leadership — to additional kebeles, using the Healthy Village approach as a reference.