By Habtamu Kebede
The brutal and heinous sexual assault and murder of seven-year-old Heaven Awote has sparked widespread outrage among the Ethiopian public. Heaven was attacked and killed by her landlord and neighbor, who was also a father of three children. This tragic and disturbing story has sent shockwaves throughout the Ethiopian community, from Bahir Dar to the Ethiopian diaspora in Europe, North America and around the world.
This brutal murder of Heaven has brought to light the issue of gender-based violence, which has been ignored indefinitely. Celebrities and social media personalities have taken proactive steps to raise awareness about this issue. Some musicians have even canceled their scheduled concerts in order to send a strong message and draw attention to gender-based violence.
The Ethiopian government officials, known for their corrupt and self-centered policies, are attempting to manipulate public opinion and improve their image in light of the recent unfortunate news. The Mayor of Addis Ababa has made a public appearance on national television, pretending to weep with the victim’s mother. She has also promised to provide a safe place for the mother to live and assist her in finding employment in Addis Ababa. However, as all Ethiopians are well aware, the current Ethiopian government has a history of forcefully demolishing homes and displacing tens of thousands of people in the vicinity of the city alone. In fact, it is the same crooked government officials who are responsible for these crimes, which not only displace families but also put women and young girls at risk of sexual predators. Their actions are not only disingenuous, but also disgusting and shameful.
It is well-documented that the Ethiopian authorities have a history of neglecting the safety of women and girls from sexual assault. This blatant disregard for the safety of women and girls is evident from the Prime Minister’s office to the lowest levels of the bureaucracy. As many people remember, it has been documented that the Prime Minister of Ethiopia once stated that “our soldiers, who are human beings, might have raped Tigrian women, but our soldiers were subjected to brutal violence, including the use of swords and combat knives.” This statement normalizes sexual assault and reinforces harmful gender stereotypes.
The brutal assault on seven-year-old Heaven took place several months ago, and the perpetrator has since been tried, convicted, and sentenced to twenty-five years in prison. However, what has sparked further outrage is the fact that he is now appealing his sentence. Adding to the controversy, the mother of his three children and other family members have come forward to proclaim his innocence and have even resorted to intimidating the victim’s mother and attempting to bribe individuals involved in the case.
Gender-based violence is a widespread problem in various regions of Ethiopia. Unfortunately, many victims do not feel comfortable reporting these incidents due to the absence of effective prevention and protection measures. Moreover, the societal stigma surrounding sexual assault often forces victims to suffer in silence. This was particularly evident during the Tigray conflict, where a significant number of women and girls from Tigray and Amhara states were targeted and sexual violence was used as a weapon. Furthermore, there have been ongoing reports of gender-based violence against Amhara women in the Oromia region.
Coincidentally, the news of the tragic incident of the brutal sexual assault and murder of seven-year-old Heaven has circulated across the country when the popular Ashenda celebration in the northern parts of Ethiopia, specifically in Tigray and Amhara is being celebrated. During Ashenda, women and girls come together to sing and dance about their cultural heritage. It is likely that some of the women who celebrate Ashenda might be among those who have experienced sexual violence and are often suffering in silence as they have no support system to listen to their agony, let alone offer them meaningful support.
Furthermore, in Ethiopian society, men are not only responsible for providing for their families, but they also hold the dominant role as the head of the household. On the other hand, women are often confined to traditional gender roles, such as cooking, caring for children, and satisfying their husbands. This societal expectation can result in the suppression of women’s true emotions and ambitions.
The horrific crime committed against Heaven Awote is not only abhorrent and inhumane, but also satanic. It has rightfully sparked widespread public outrage and brought attention to the prevalent issue of sexual assault and gender-based violence. However, the unfortunate incident that occurred to young Heaven is not an isolated case; there are hundreds of thousands of sexual assault victims throughout the country who deserve justice and equal attention. It is long overdue for everyone to take action in preventing and stopping gender-based violence in Ethiopia.
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#Silent #Suffering #Women #Ethiopia #Genderbased #Violence
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