Thousands of Women and Girls Raped by Ethiopian Soldiers
Shocking new evidence has emerged detailing a widespread campaign of sexual violence perpetrated by soldiers in Ethiopia. Thousands of women and girls, some as young as eight years old, have been subjected to rape and brutal assault during the army's operations against local militias.
Disturbing survivor testimonies, gathered by the BBC and other organisations, paint a horrifying picture of systematic attacks. Soldiers are reported to be breaking into homes and assaulting women and girls on a large scale, leaving deep physical and psychological scars.
Survivors' Harrowing Ordeals
One victim, Enat, from South Gondar in the Amhara region, described how soldiers invaded her home. After she confirmed that her family had received a visit from the local Fano militia, she was aggressively raped as punishment, while her eight-year-old niece was forced to watch. A devout Orthodox Christian, Enat had been a virgin. "It would have been better if they had killed me," she told the BBC.
Another survivor, 18-year-old Tigist, was assaulted in January 2024 by a soldier who was a regular at her family's teahouse. Hours later, he returned with two others and the trio gang-raped her on the street, leaving her unconscious on the pavement. Found by her family, she was bedridden for five days. Two years on, she remains too terrified to leave her house, has ended her engagement, and has attempted suicide.
Lemlen, 23, endured a similar attack last year when soldiers entered her home seeking militia information. Threatened with being shot if she screamed, she was raped. She did not report the crime or seek medical help, later feeling ostracised by her community. "I wept non-stop for a whole month. I couldn't eat. All I did was cry," she said.
A Hidden Crisis of Staggering Scale
The true scale of the sexual violence is believed to be far greater than official figures suggest due to widespread under-reporting, driven by fear and stigma. However, data collected by the BBC between July 2023 and May 2025 recorded 2,697 reports of rape. Alarmingly, 45% of these involved assaults on children.
The unrest stems from the government's attempt to disband regional military groups, including the Fano militia, which fought in the Tigray civil war (2020-2022). The ensuing rebellion has been marked by accusations of human rights abuses from both sides.
Amnesty International has condemned the army's actions, calling on the Ethiopian government to take immediate steps to end violence against women and girls. A UN report last year also linked the Ethiopian National Defence Force to sexual violence against women and minors in Amhara.
For confidential support in the UK, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. For mental health support, contact the Samaritans on 116 123.
