Organization for the Development of Women and Children (ODWaCE) the former Ye Ethiopia Goji Limadawi Dirgitoch Aswogaj Mahiber (EGLDAM), is an indigenous not-for-profit, non-governmental organization established in 1987 as a National Committee on Traditional Practices of Ethiopia (NCTPE) and registered as a charity in 1993. In 2008 the Organization changed its title from NCTPE to Ye Ethiopia Goji LImadawi Dirgitoch Aswogaj Mahiber (EGLDAM). In line with Charities and Societies Agency’s law, the organization registered for the third time as Organization for the Development of Women and Children-Ethiopia In 2013 through changing its title from EGLDAM to ODWaCE.
Initially, it was established in as a National Committee on Traditional Practices of Ethiopia (NCTPE) under the leadership of Ministry of Health (MOH). It was primarily composed of representatives of government line ministries, local and international NGOs as well as the UN agencies. Current founder members of the organization included a group of intellectuals and energetic people who were highly motivated and committed for contributing their time, skills and energies for the development and empowerment of women, children and youth in Ethiopia
The organization made a geographic expansion and had interventions in Addis Ababa City Administration, Somali, Amhara, Tigray, SNNPR and Sidama Regional states and contributed to the country in the areas of addressing HTP through conducting national level baseline survey and its follow up survey, which was the first in its kind, and implementing different CM & FGM related programs and projects. It was known for its national and regional level lobby and advocacy work to address the issues of vulnerable children. ODWaCE, being a pioneering NGO in the areas of addressing HTPs, has built good reputations through promoting the rights of children and the provision of quality services for disadvantaged children victims of CM & FGM.