support of women‟s rights and curbing GBV86. In addition, the Women‟s Association is closely working with the Government and other concerned to ensure appropriate measures are taken. The Ministry of Justice through the pre-established 11 especial prosecution and investigation units and by working together with the police in the police station tried to effectively implement the criminal law. As a result of the establishment of special prosecution unit in the Ministry of Justice at different level of structures, the quality of investigation and prosecution mechanisms (works) increased and cases are speedily brought before the Court and decided; accordingly conviction rate is increased. For instance, in 2011 the conviction rate was 45% while it was increased to 88.77% in 2013. The pre-established special benches within the Federal First Instance Court to handle cases of VAW, particularly sexual violence cases have shown good achievement in implementing gender sensitive proceedings in the prosecution of VAW perpetrators. This bench is now established in Dire Dawa and efforts are under way to replicate the same in all regions. The establishment of women and child protection units in police stations as part of the overall measure initiated women and child sensitive reporting, investigation and prosecution of cases, which also handle cases of women survivors. The Ministry of Justice has provided mandatory training on strict application of relevant provisions of the Criminal code of Ethiopia for more than 150 prosecutors particularly, on sexual, physical and domestic violence against women and children and how to protect them by implementing the criminal Code. Similarly, The Ministry of Women, Children and Youth Affairs in collaboration with European Union and other development partners has provided training on HTP, Legal Aid skills and relevant provisions of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Constitution, Criminal Code, Revised Family Code and International and Regional legal instruments to 2733 Judges, prosecutors, courts presidents, police officers, and representatives of civil societies and other pertinent bodies. These trainings enabled the legal actors and the implementing bodies to enhance their skill and effectively implement the relevant provisions of the law. The Ministry of Justice prepared the investigation and prosecution manual for crimes against women and Children especially for sexual and Physical violence. Based on this manual, awareness creation and sensitization workshops have been conducted for different segments of the public. In addition to this, skill trainings have been provided for the Prosecutor, Police and Medical Personnel on how 86 Ethiopia MDGs Report, 2010, pg 18 103