Silent Crisis: Ethiopia's War on Women

Wed Nov 19 2025 11:48:19 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Amidst the escalating conflict in Ethiopia's Amhara region, women are bearing the brunt of unchecked sexual violence, raising urgent questions about human rights and accountability.

The ongoing conflict between the Ethiopian army and the local Fano militias has led to a surge in sexual violence against women, with thousands reported cases of rape and assault. Victims like Enat and Tigist share their harrowing stories, reflecting the dire consequences of a war that has not only shattered lives but also scarred communities. As reports of human rights abuses mount, the need for accountability grows ever more pressing.

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.

Enat was at home with her eight-year-old niece when the soldiers came one Sunday morning, she says. The Ethiopian army was carrying out searches of homes in the Amhara region on 5 January this year, as part of a crackdown on a growing rebellion from local militias known as Fano.

Enat, a 21-year-old woman, described how soldiers entered her home, questioning her about her family's ties to the Fano fighters. As the situation escalated, one soldier raped her in front of her niece, leaving her traumatized.

Reports indicate Enat is one of thousands of women who have endured sexual violence since the conflict escalated in August 2023. The BBC has gathered data revealing thousands of incidents from July 2023 to May 2025, many involving minors.

In January 2024, Tigist, an 18-year-old from West Gojjam, faced her own nightmare when she was attacked by soldiers. The trauma of the assault left her unable to leave her house and prompted a suicide attempt that her family narrowly prevented.

Medical professionals in the region report a sharp increase in treated cases of sexual violence, indicating a public health crisis on the horizon, exacerbated by fear and stigma surrounding treatment and reporting of such assaults.

Amnesty International and local rights advocates are increasingly pressing for accountability regarding these human rights violations. However, efforts to secure justice for victims have seen little progress, highlighting an entrenched culture of impunity.

Enat's story culminates in the conflicting emotions of despair and hope as she faces motherhood after surviving assault. As the conflict continues to unfold, the realities for women in the Amhara region underscore the urgent need for a concerted response to the violence plaguing their lives.