A Social and Legal Review of Sexual Abuse of the Women in Ethiopia

Abstract

Rape in Ethiopia is highly prevalent, despite the case is still underreported due to fear, and shame of violence, especially in women. There are variety factors that contribute rape, and is controversial topic. Major factors that cause rape include societal norms encompassing masculinity, gender inequality, anger, sadism of the rapists as well as poverty. The Ethiopian society generally tolerated such violence and defend the value. They thought that women would tend to follow Westernized culture, even this notion is supported by educated people. There are also abduction, child marriage, and sex works in urban areas.

Under Article 620 of Ethiopian Criminal Code, rape is punishable by law. Recently rape is appearing during the war, especially in the Tigray War. Since beginning of the war in November 2020, nearly 1,300 rape cases were reported to authorities, many of whom were underreported.