The Tigray region of Ethiopia was under brutal siege by the Ethiopian and Eritrean armies from November 2020 to November 2022. More than 600,000 civilians were killed, and millions were displaced, with at least 120,000 women and girls raped during the conflict. A survey by Mekelle University found that at least 570 women had been raped in the remote district of Bora alone, with many more cases going unreported due to the strong stigma against victims. The trauma experienced by survivors has had lasting effects on their mental health and wellbeing, leading to struggles with post-traumatic stress and disassociation.
In the absence of psychological support during the war, a group of women in and outside Tigray came together to implement a grassroots approach called HAL (helpful active listening) circles to provide basic psychosocial support to survivors. The HAL circles were adapted from a model that was successful in helping Rwandan genocide survivors heal. Facilitators were trained to lead groups of women in sessions aimed at helping them cope with the effects of trauma. The program was funded by foreign embassies and provided a safe space for women to come together, share their experiences, and support each other.
The HAL program in Bora has been successful in reaching 1,320 survivors, helping them reduce post-traumatic stress and stopping self-blame, shame, and guilt. Many of the women who participated in the program have continued to meet and support each other, creating long-term self-help cooperatives and microfinance groups. These groups have been recognized by the local government and consulted on decisions affecting women, giving them a voice in their communities. The project has been praised for breaking down the stigma surrounding sexual violence and promoting solidarity among victims.
Despite the success of the HAL program, the needs in the region are still vast, with many women facing issues such as food insecurity, physical health, safety, and family concerns. The Daughters of Charity have been providing participants with food, emergency cash support, and linking them with small business initiatives to address these needs. However, the team acknowledges that more support is needed to meet the challenges faced by women in Tigray. Efforts are being made to scale up the outreach program and work with the community to address attitudes towards women and mental health.
In Tigray, women are often considered less and face discrimination, especially if they have been victims of sexual violence. Changing attitudes towards women and ensuring their well-being will require community-based healing sessions, mental health awareness campaigns, and collaboration with service providers, teachers, and religious leaders. The core group working on the HAL project understands that the healing process will take years and that more efforts are needed to support women in the region. Despite the challenges, the HAL program has provided a glimmer of hope for survivors in Tigray, helping them rebuild their lives and regain a sense of agency and resilience.
