The war that began in November 2020 in the Tigray region led to widespread violence, displacement, and severe humanitarian consequences. According to credible reports from the United Nations and international human rights organizations, over 100,000 women in the region were subjected to sexual violence during the war.
Reports indicate that the use of rape and other forms of sexual violence was systematic and spread across the region.
Survivors of sexual violence and other civilians affected by the conflict continue to experience long-term psychological trauma. Health workers and humanitarian organizations like Hiwyet Charity Association (HCA) operating in Tigray have reported a high number of cases involving post-traumatic stress, depression, and other mental health conditions. It is also reported that many health and social service facilities remain limited or inaccessible, affecting the capacity for sustained psychological care.
Meseret Hadush is the founder and Managing Director of HCA. Meseret graduated with a degree in Music Art from Addis Ababa University’s Yared School of Music in 2012 and was part of the first batch to earn a Master of Science (MsC) degree in Music from Mekelle University in 2020.
In addition to her musical career, Meseret has worked across various sectors and has extensive teaching experience, ranging from elementary schools to university-level instruction in art and music.
Following the devastating two-year war in the Tigray Region and drawing from her personal experiences and the struggles faced by many women in the area, Meseret established HCA to offer support, healing, and empowerment for survivors. HCA was founded in 2023 to combat gender-based violence (GBV) and victims of GBV as well as helpless children in the region.
The organization operates in the belief that every woman has the right to live in dignity and free from fear. According to Meseret, the conflict in Tigray has led to widespread disruption in the economy, employment, law enforcement, and security. She stated that the people of Tigray are now facing a reality where death has become a regular occurrence—an experience she describes as a sharp departure from the community’s previous way of life.
In a conversation with Abraham Tekle of The Reporter, Meseret spoke about the widespread damage caused by the war in Tigray, particularly its impacts on women and children. She also discussed how internal political disputes within the TPLF are affecting the services offered by her organization, and highlighted the psychological trauma endured by women, children, youth, and the elderly, among other pressing concerns.
Meseret remarked that although active combat in Tigray has ceased, the effects of the war still persist.
The Reporter:Since its establishment in 2023, HCA has focused on advocating for women’s rights while providing support and facilitating healing for survivors. In addition to these efforts, could you outline the core services the Association offers to women and children affected by the war in the region?
Meseret Hadush: Our services are not limited to the Tigray region. We also extend support to mothers, young girls, and children from the Afar and Amhara regions who have experienced gender-based violence, provided they reach out to our Association. We offer financial assistance to help them access necessary healthcare, along with startup support to help them begin working and return to a stable life. This includes psychological treatment, spiritual healing, and training programs. We provide a range of support services aimed at helping them recover and regain a sense of self. All treatments and training are delivered by professionals, and the Association allocates 60,000 birr to each mother to help them start income-generating activities and lead a normal life.
Thousands of women have experienced SBV and other kinds of violence in Tigray as well as the Amhara and Afar regions. What specific actions has your organization taken in response, and how many survivors have benefited from the services you provide?
Due to the scale of the damage and the large number of victims, as well as the severity and variety of violence in Tigray, our work has been particularly challenging, especially as we are new to the field. The initiative requires substantial funding. Despite these constraints, we have been operating to the best of our capacity. Over the past two years, we have reached nearly six thousand mothers, providing them with essential first aid and psychological treatment. These services are considered mandatory, as many of the women are economically and emotionally affected, some having been stigmatized and marginalized by their communities.
With a high number of affected women, the situation remains extremely difficult. Nevertheless, we have made efforts to assist victims across all areas of Tigray. As mentioned, survivors are not only from Tigray but also from the Afar region, where many Tigrayan women have been subjected to sexual and gender-based violence. Regardless of where the victims come from, all who approach our Association receive psychological and first aid treatment.
Regarding financial support aimed at economic reintegration, two hundred mothers have received comprehensive training in fields of their choice, including soap production, agriculture, and animal husbandry, among other business sectors. Each of them was provided with 60,000 birr in startup capital to begin their chosen business. We ensure they are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge through a three-week training program. These two hundred mothers, who come from various parts of Tigray, completed their training in nine separate sessions, each session accommodating twenty participants. Following the training, they have returned to work in their respective fields.
As you noted, the number of victims and the psychological trauma they are experiencing is extensive. You also highlighted the challenges they face in reintegrating into society. What practical steps has your organization taken to address these issues?
The general awareness of the Tigray community regarding survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) remains limited. Social norms often result in the stigmatization or concealment of women affected by SGBV in an effort to preserve family reputation and honor. As the number of affected individuals continues to grow, stigma and discrimination have worsened. Many survivors have lost their marriages, particularly those who became pregnant as a result of sexual violence.
To address this issue, we established a platform aimed at raising public awareness, using media and televised programming produced by our Association, Hiwyet. Through this platform, professionals are invited to educate the public on SGBV. We also organize awareness sessions for school communities and youth through training programs. Additionally, we engage religious leaders in the initiative, recognizing their influential role and acceptance within the community. These leaders are encouraged to speak out about the issue whenever possible to help shift public attitudes. We try our best to create awareness about the issue using different mechanisms.
Were there any particular methods or approaches utilized to address the psychological impacts?
As I told you, the psychological impact in the region is significant. The general public, including myself, is experiencing widespread trauma, often characterized by denial and avoidance of the reality of the situation. However, to date, neither the government nor other relevant stakeholders have implemented any specific strategies to alleviate this trauma within the society. This lack of intervention is significantly hindering rehabilitation efforts.
Without community-wide healing and support through a newly designed system, it will be challenging to effectively aid many of those affected by the conflict. For instance, psychologically and economically empowered women and young girls will reintegrate into the community. However, if public awareness and understanding are not adequately addressed, they risk becoming victims of similar problems. Therefore, utilizing media platforms and direct community engagement to educate the public on how to cope and heal from this situation is crucial.
Recognizing the fundamental importance of finance for operational functionality, could you detail any funding received from government bodies or other stakeholders to initiate and sustain your operations?
Our organization has not received any funding from governmental bodies, whether federal or regional administrations. This lack of support extends to local and international organizations, as well as NGOs. Our primary financial support comes from the community, particularly the diaspora. Specifically, for the past two years, we have been operating with the assistance of the Tigrayan diaspora. Notably, this diaspora support also includes Eritrean individuals who oppose the events that occurred in the Tigray region, as well as individuals from the Amhara Regional State, particularly from Gonder and Bahir Dar, who understand and value our work. These sources represent the essential support that enables our operations.
To what extent have internal political disputes within the region created obstacles for your operational activities or the rehabilitation efforts for the affected community?
Surprisingly, over the past seven to eight months, charitable support for associations like ours has come to a halt or majorly decreased. The internal political disputes between the TPLF factions have been a major obstacle, with our Association at times being mistakenly labeled as aligned with a particular faction. This perception has discouraged potential supporters. As a result, our ability to provide financial assistance—such as support for mothers and covering school fees for children—has been significantly limited in recent months. We are facing serious challenges, and unless the issue is resolved soon, our Association, along with others operating under similar mandates, will be severely impacted.
Could you elaborate on the extent to which your services cater to the needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs)?
Our primary operations are conducted in IDP centers, where we assist mothers and orphaned children whose parents died due to the conflict and who are unable to attend school. We categorize these children into three main groups: those born as a result of sexual violence (aged three to four); those who directly witnessed the violent deaths or abuse of their parents, resulting in trauma and a refusal to participate in activities, including education; and those who have lost both parents and lack any support for survival or to return to school.
This type of hardship is predominantly found within IDP centers. Additionally, there are individuals who were formerly affluent but are now destitute within these centers, requiring food and medicine for survival. We consistently provide support to these individuals based on our assessments within the IDP populations in the region. However, our current contribution is limited given the diverse forms of violence and the large number of affected people.
Even with the war’s end, reports of SGBV and killings of women continue to emerge. What is your perspective on this? Has the regional administration implemented any controls to prevent these crimes?
The origin of this practice in Tigray is unclear. Previously, such incidents were uncommon. However, this year has seen women specifically targeted, killed, or injured by individuals known to them, including husbands or partners, with their whereabouts often unknown. While such misconduct has sometimes been attributed to the psychological consequences of trauma, the Tigrayan community and the general public now face a reality where death has become a frequent occurrence—a stark contrast to the community’s past.
I still feel like a sense of siege persists, marked by widespread unemployment, a struggling economy, shortages of essential medicines, and visible food scarcity. Although the active combat in Tigray has ceased, the effects of the war still persist. The youth are particularly affected, suffering both physically and mentally. Administrative issues have further exacerbated the helplessness of young people. In this context of widespread hardship, the continuation of such harmful practices is common. Both the federal and regional administrations bear the responsibility to address these issues. While we have made efforts to mitigate the impact using our limited resources, these misconducts continue to occur widely.
Finally, what key recommendations do you have for the federal and regional governments, and what message would you like to convey to the international community?
It is widely observed that in any conflict, women and children are the most severely affected, while political actors often remain untouched. This has been evident during the Tigray war, where many women and children were directly impacted. The harm they suffered has yet to receive formal acknowledgment or an apology. The affected communities continue to demand accountability, support, and reparations.
The war has set the region back by three or four decades. In light of this, the regional administration should prioritize the needs of the affected population rather than engaging in political disputes. These are their own citizens, and they deserve protection and assistance. The same applies to the federal government, as Tigray remains part of the federal system, and its people are entitled to basic services and rights. The international community also has a role to play in supporting the people of Tigray to rebuild and improve their lives.
