Authors: Kenny Maes, Svea Closser, Yihenew Tesfaye, Roza Abesha
This study looks at how unpaid community health workers (mostly women) in Ethiopia continued to work without pay, even as the government claimed it was moving away from volunteer-based health programs. The research compares two groups—one in cities focused on HIV care, and one in rural areas focused on general health. It shows that both groups were still expected to work for free, often under the idea of sacrifice, even while facing hardship. Many of these workers pushed for better treatment, and their experiences highlight the unfairness and gendered nature of unpaid health work. The study offers important lessons for how to better support community health workers.
Link: Moving away from volunteerism in community health? Motivations and wellbeing among urban and rural Ethiopian volunteers
Resource Topic: CHW Motivation, CHW programs
Resource Type: Mixed Methods
Year: 2025
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
Country: Ethiopia
Publisher May Restrict Access: Yes