Reports reveal that children as young as eight have fallen victim to sexual assault by soldiers in Ethiopia amid a crackdown on local militias, leaving thousands of women and girls traumatized. Survivors have shared harrowing testimonies, exposing the widespread sexual violence perpetrated by army members who break into homes to target women and girls.
One survivor, Enat, recounted how soldiers invaded her home in South Gondar, Amhara, interrogating her about the Famo Fighters militia. After confirming her family’s contact with the militia, she was brutally raped, with her eight-year-old niece forced to witness the horrific assault. Enat, who was a virgin and intended to uphold Orthodox Christian traditions of remaining chaste until marriage, expressed her deep anguish, lamenting the ordeal.
Similarly, Tigist, an 18-year-old from Amhara, shared her ordeal of being groped by a soldier two years ago. In a more recent incident in January 2024, Tigist was gang-raped by a soldier and two accomplices, leaving her unconscious on the street. The traumatic experience has left Tigist fearful of further attacks, impacting her ability to work, socialize, and pursue her dreams of marriage, leading to a suicide attempt.
The prevalence of sexual violence in the region is alarming, with a significant number of cases going unreported due to survivors’ fears of retaliation. Data collected from July 2023 to May 2025 revealed 2,697 reported cases of rape, with a staggering 45 percent involving child victims. The actual number of incidents is likely much higher, highlighting the pervasive nature of the crisis.
Lemlen, another survivor, chose not to report her assault last year after facing threats from soldiers during a home invasion. She highlighted the challenges of seeking support within her community, underscoring the stigma associated with sexual violence. The ongoing conflict in Ethiopia, stemming from government actions against regional militias, has exacerbated human rights abuses, including sexual violence by both military forces and rebel groups.
Calls for accountability and action have been made by international organizations like Amnesty International, urging the Ethiopian government to address the violence targeting women and girls. The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has also documented cases of sexual violence by the Ethiopian National Defence Force in Amhara, linking the atrocities to the conflict with the Famo militia.