Between 2020 and 2022, during the conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray region, thousands of women and girls were subjected to horrifying acts of sexual violence, including gang rape, mutilation, and forced infertility procedures. Survivors recount being attacked by Ethiopian and Eritrean forces, with some detained for months and raped repeatedly. Despite a peace deal signed in 2022, justice remains elusive. No perpetrators have been held accountable, and survivors face enormous barriers in accessing medical care, psychosocial support, or legal redress. Many women are still traumatized, stigmatized, and unable to reintegrate into society. Human rights advocates urge the Ethiopian government and international actors to establish a transparent justice mechanism and prioritize survivor-centered healing and accountability processes.
Compiled from: “‘Rusted screws, metal spikes and plastic rubbish’: the horrific sexual violence used against Tigray’s women,” The Guardian, June 30, 2025.