The Disproportionate Impact of Genocide and Famine on Tigrayan Women

The Tigray region has witnessed devastating genocide alongside famine, leading to a significant rise in humanitarian needs. While the entire population suffers, a Rapid Gender Assessment (RGA) report highlights the disproportionate impact on women and girls, particularly in Tigray.

https://reliefweb.int/report/ethiopia/rapid-gender-assessment-final-report-afar-amhara-oromia-somali-and-tigray-regions-december-2023

Unequal Burden on Traditionally Unequal Ground:

The report acknowledges pre-existing gender inequalities in Tigray, where women traditionally held limited decision-making power and restricted access to resources. These inequalities worsen during crises, further marginalizing women. The report further acknowledges that the conflict and drought have exacerbated existing vulnerabilities, creating a web of challenges that disproportionately ensnare Tigrayan women.

Food Insecurity: The Burden of Empty Plates:

Further, the report highlights that loss of livelihoods due to conflict and drought has disrupted food supply chains and limited access to markets. This has resulted in heightened food insecurity, with women, traditionally responsible for household food security, bearing the brunt of this burden. They are often forced to make impossible choices, rationing meager resources or going hungry themselves to feed their families.

Resurgence of Harmful Practices: A Step Backwards:

The RGA reveals a disturbing trend – the re-emergence of harmful practices like Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) and early/forced marriage – practices that had shown signs of decline in recent years. These practices pose severe health risks, limit girls' educational opportunities, and perpetuate the cycle of poverty. The desperation caused by conflict and displacement can make families more likely to resort to these practices as a misguided coping mechanism.

The Crushing Weight of Unseen Labor:

The report also highlights that displacements and loss of male family members due to conflict have significantly increased women's workload. They now manage childcare, eldercare, and household chores alongside fetching water, which can take hours and expose them to violence in isolated areas. This "unseen labor" is essential for family survival but leaves them exhausted, with little time or energy for self-care or income generation.

Limited Access to Services: A Gaping Hole in Safety Nets:

Damaged infrastructure and disruptions in service delivery restrict access to essential services like healthcare, sanitation facilities, and mental health support. Pregnant women, lactating mothers, and girls are particularly vulnerable due to a lack of adequate maternal health and sexual and reproductive health services. This lack of access to basic services further compounds the challenges they face.

Heightened Risk of Violence: Nowhere to Hide:

The report underlines the alarming rise in gender-based violence (GBV), including sexual assault, within IDP camps and communities. Overcrowded living conditions and limited access to safe spaces further exacerbate this risk. The breakdown of social structures during conflict can create an environment where women and girls are more vulnerable to violence, both from strangers and those they know.

Beyond the Bleak Picture: Signs of Hope and Strategies for Change:

Despite the bleak picture painted by the RGA, there are also signs of hope. Some men are reported to be sharing household chores, and there are instances of communities actively fighting against harmful social norms. To build on these positive changes and empower Tigrayan women, several crucial interventions are needed:

• Tailored Advocacy: Training women's rights organizations to advocate against harmful practices and promote gender equality in a culturally sensitive manner. This will enable local organizations to address the specific needs and challenges faced by women in Tigray.

• Livelihood Support: Providing women with skills training and startup capital to establish small businesses and regain economic independence. This will not only improve their access to food and resources but also empower them to participate in decision-making within their households and communities.

• Improved Access to Services: Rebuilding infrastructure and ensuring the availability of essential services, including healthcare, sanitation, and mental health support, with a focus on women's specific needs. This will require a coordinated effort from humanitarian organizations and the Ethiopian government to ensure services are accessible and culturally appropriate.

• GBV Prevention and Response: Creating safe spaces for women and girls, establishing hotlines for reporting violence, and providing psychosocial support to survivors of violence. This will require a multi-pronged approach that addresses both the immediate needs of survivors and the root causes of GBV, such as harmful social norms and power imbalances.

• Education for Girls: Investing in girls' education is crucial for breaking the cycle of poverty and empowering future generations. Educated girls are more likely to delay marriage, have smaller families, and participate more actively in the workforce, contributing to the overall development of their communities.

Investing in a Brighter Future:

The Tigrayan women bear the brunt of the genocidal war and drought's devastating impact. Urgent action is needed to address their specific needs, empower them economically, and ensure their safety and well-being.