Women’s organizations and human rights defenders in Tigray have issued an urgent call for the international community to strengthen protections for women and girls affected by the war on Tigray, warning that existing mechanisms are insufficient to address the full spectrum of harm.
In a joint press release, the groups highlighted that gendered violence in Tigray extends far beyond sexual assault, encompassing economic devastation, cultural erasure, forced displacement, restricted access to healthcare, educational exclusion, digital exploitation, and long-term psychological trauma.
“Women and girls in Tigray have faced systemic economic destruction, cultural genocide, starvation tactics, educational exclusion, algorithm-driven exposure to sexualized digital content, and trauma requiring specialized medical intervention far beyond the capacity of families or local communities,” the letter said.
The coalition, including local organizations including Empowered Sisterhood Mekelle, GEM Tigray, Yikhono, and the Women with Disabilities Development Association of Tigray and human rights advocates underscored that impunity remains a major challenge.
“The government responsible for genocide remains in power, obstructs accountability processes, controls data collection, restricts media access, and suppresses survivor testimony,” the letter said, describing these actions as structural drivers of continued violence.
The coalition urged governments, United Nations bodies, international courts, donors, researchers, medical professionals, faith and community leaders, media organizations, and global citizens to take action.
Read full letter here:👇🏾