A 25-year-old survivor of sexual violence photographed in Mekele, Ethiopia. She was repeatedly raped by Eritrean and Amhara forces in the southern region of Raya Azebo over three days. When she visits her family, she hides her face and avoids walking in public. Even though she knows her mother was also raped, she remains too ashamed to disclose her own assault to her mother. Counseling has helped her with the shame, pain, and rage she has felt ever since her assault.
The civil war that erupted in the Tigray region of Ethiopia in 2020 exacted a devastating toll; an estimated 600,000 lives were lost and millions were left facing internal displacement and acute famine. The region, already grappling with poverty and political instability, was cut off from the outside world and pushed to the brink by the violence and chaos of war.
Amid the horrors of the conflict, a silent and insidious crisis unfolded: sexual violence against women. Concrete and verifiable data is scarce due to not only the challenges of gathering information in conflict zones, but also the communications blackout imposed by the Ethiopian government. However, a comprehensive study conducted by Columbia University researchers suggests that over 100,000 women may have been victims of sexual violence during the course of the conflict.
The trauma these women endured extends beyond physical and psychological suffering. In many cases, even though the war is over, they continue to face societal prejudice and stigma.
This project portrays the personal journeys of survivors of sexual violence in the Tigray region, highlighting stories of resilience, courage, and healing. With the assistance of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, a religious order of women dedicated to helping and rehabilitating survivors of sexual violence, these women display incredible strength and perseverance in the face of horror and adversity.
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