Nearly three years after active fighting in Tigray has ceased, women in the region continue to bear the devastating effects of the war on their bodies, minds, and daily lives. Survivors and health professionals report that the end of hostilities and the signing of the Pretoria Agreement have not brought safety, recovery, or dignity. Sexual violence remains widespread, while the physical and mental health needs created by the conflict persist in hospitals, displacement sites, homes, and communities across Tigray. A weakened health system, entrenched stigma, deepening poverty, and severe reductions in humanitarian aid have compounded these challenges, leaving women and girls without sustained care or protection.
The ongoing threat of renewed violence looms large. Alarming rhetoric from Ethiopian leaders and regional tensions—including divisions among Tigray’s political groups, confrontations with Amhara forces, and the presence of Eritrean troops—suggest that war could return. Women are acutely aware that sexual violence could again be used as a weapon, and they are trying to prepare, but recovery and support remain desperately inadequate. Internally displaced women are particularly vulnerable, living in uncertainty and struggling to access critical health services. The extreme scale of wartime sexual violence—ranging from sexual slavery to forced pregnancy and other atrocities—has left lasting physical and psychological trauma, often untreated due to limited healthcare access.
Aid cuts and limited humanitarian support have worsened conditions for displaced women. Food insecurity has risen, particularly for pregnant, elderly, and disabled women, while mental health services remain scarce. Shelter and sanitation issues are severe: overcrowded camps, unclean or unsafe latrines, lack of privacy for menstrual hygiene, and exposure to disease and gender-based violence all exacerbate the vulnerability of women and girls. Many survivors of sexual violence continue to experience stigma, social exclusion, and enduring trauma, including raising children conceived from rape under harsh societal pressures.
Medical and mental health support for survivors is critically insufficient. Women need emergency contraception, post-exposure prophylaxis, and other reproductive health resources to recover from past violence and protect against future assaults. Long-term psychosocial support is equally urgent, with survivors facing chronic stress, grief, and trauma compounded by loss of livelihoods, homes, and family members. Reports indicate rising intimate partner violence and femicide, and safehouses are operating beyond capacity, highlighting the continued need for targeted protection services.
Women’s inclusion in political and peace processes remains minimal, despite evidence that meaningful participation of women improves peacebuilding and reconstruction outcomes. The Pretoria Agreement’s implementation has largely overlooked women’s voices, leaving them excluded from decisions on justice, accountability, and recovery. Experts stress that women must be recognized as key agents in rebuilding Tigray and ensuring sustainable peace.
The situation in Tigray underscores the urgent need for coordinated international action. Governments, donors, and humanitarian organizations must restore and scale up aid, support local women-led initiatives, and ensure access to health, shelter, and psychosocial services. Enforcement of the Pretoria Agreement is critical to secure safety and enable recovery. Recovery and rebuilding in Tigray must begin with women, amplifying their voices and addressing the physical, mental, and social impacts of the conflict to ensure lasting peace and stability.
