The Silent Crisis: A War Against Women in Ethiopia

Wed Nov 19 2025 11:35:38 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The ongoing conflict in Ethiopia's Amhara region has led to horrifying violence against women, with thousands reporting sexual assault and rape. This epidemic is largely undocumented and highlights the grave human cost of war.

Since August 2023, as the conflict between the Ethiopian army and local militias escalates, thousands of women have been victims of sexual violence. The BBC reports alarming cases, including Enat's experience of rape in front of her niece, and Tigist's life-altering assault by soldiers. Experts warn that these incidents are just the tip of the iceberg, with many women choosing to suffer in silence due to stigma and fear. This crisis underlines the desperate need for awareness, support, and change in how women are treated during conflicts.

Warning: This report contains descriptions of rape and sexual violence. Names of victims have been changed and identifying details omitted to protect their privacy and safety.

In the Amhara region of Ethiopia, the ongoing conflict has unleashed a wave of violence that is particularly devastating for women. With reports of sexual assaults flooding in, many victims are left to bear the trauma in silence. Recent accounts highlight the harrowing experiences of women like Enat and Tigist, whose lives have been irrevocably changed by the violence they encountered at the hands of soldiers.

Enat, just 21 years old, was raped in front of her niece by soldiers searching her home. It would have been better if they had killed me, she shared, encapsulating the despair faced by many survivors. This chilling incident is part of a larger pattern of abuse, with both human rights organizations and local health facilities documenting thousands of incidents of sexual violence amid the conflict.

The crisis has left countless women feeling vulnerable and frightened. Over half of the victims tested positive for sexually transmitted infections, and many have faced additional challenges, including stigma and the inability to seek medical help.

In January 2024, Tigist was ambushed and gang-raped by soldiers. Traumatized, she became unable to leave her home, reflecting the psychological toll this violence takes. Reports indicate that the number of sexual assaults has sharply increased since the conflict began, highlighting an urgent need for awareness, support, and action to protect vulnerable populations.

The international community must respond to this growing crisis, emphasizing the need for justice and reparations for the victims, and ensuring that their voices are heard.