Tigray, Ethiopia – Bezunesh, a mother of eight in the remote district of Bora, Tigray, shares her traumatic experience after the brutal attacks by Ethiopian and Eritrean armies from November 2020 to November 2022. The aftermath of the siege left more than 600,000 civilians dead and millions displaced, with at least 120,000 women and girls subjected to rape as a weapon of war.
A survey revealed that 570 women were raped in Bora, with devastating consequences like HIV, suicide, and disabilities. The stigma against victims led many to suffer in silence.
To address the psychological trauma, women-led HAL circles were established, following a successful model used in Rwanda. These circles provide basic psychosocial support to survivors, empowering them to heal and rebuild their lives.
Despite challenges and limited resources, the HAL project in Bora has helped over 1,300 survivors find strength, resilience, and solidarity. The women now engage in self-help cooperatives and advocate for their rights, demonstrating the impact of community-based healing.