Urgent Call to Address Atrocities Against Women in Tigray Conflict
In an Open Letter addressed to the 68th annual Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68), Julia Duncan-Cassell, Former Liberian Minister of Gender and President of the European External Programme with Africa (EPA), has issued a pressing plea for action regarding the alarming proliferation of conflict-related sexual violence. The letter underscores the urgent need to address the harrowing atrocities perpetrated against women during the Tigray conflict in Ethiopia, urging immediate attention and intervention.
Highlighting Horrific Findings
The letter brings to light the disturbing findings of recent research titled “Bodies as Battlefields,” conducted by a female academic who was trapped in Tigray during the two-year conflict from November 2020 to November 2022. The research, based on survivor interviews, revealed egregious acts of conflict-related sexual violence, including mutilation, gang rape, and intentional transmission of HIV/AIDS, with survivors enduring profound physical, psychological, and economic consequences.
Call for Action at CSW68
As the CSW68 convenes under the theme of “Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls,” Duncan-Cassell emphasizes the imperative for CSW68 participants to prioritize addressing conflict-related sexual violence against women. The letter stresses the urgent need for institutional strengthening, justice provision, and prevention measures to combat such atrocities effectively.
Elevating the Global Dialogue
The letter underscores the importance of elevating the discourse on women affected by conflict-related sexual violence, urging CSW68 to include this critical issue on its agenda for the upcoming year. By shining a spotlight on this issue, the global community can provide hope to countless women affected by such violence and send a clear message to perpetrators that their actions will not be tolerated.
A Call for Accountability
Despite repeated resolutions and commitments condemning conflict-related sexual violence, perpetrators continue to act with impunity, leaving women in conflict zones vulnerable to unspeakable atrocities. The letter underscores the urgent need for accountability and action to ensure justice for survivors and to prevent further violence against women in conflict settings.
A Unified Front
The joint letter to CSW68 bears the signatures of notable figures including EPA Vice President Kokob Gebru Kidanu, Ethiopia’s Former Minister for Women, Children and Youth, Filsan Abdi, and human rights advocates. Together, they call for concerted efforts to address the scourge of conflict-related sexual violence and uphold the rights and dignity of women affected by armed conflicts worldwide.
Re-reported from the article originally published in The eurasiareview
