Fundraising event for survivors of sexual violence in Tigray, Ethiopia

Background

In November 2020, a conflict erupted in Tigray region, northern Ethiopia. Reports about sexual violence being used by militant elements started to emerge soon after the outbreak of the conflict. Following the ceasefire in November 2022, several studies emerged reporting hundreds of thousands of victims, without covering the entire geography of war. Although numerous organisations led by Tigrayans and international humanitarian actors have sought to respond to the immediate needs of victims and survivors, the long-term impact of this violence, including psychologic trauma, social ostracism and stigma, will require extensive and organised efforts to be addressed.

The event, which is co-organised by Project dldl/ድልድል, the SOAS Centre of World Christianity and the Institute of Orthodox Christian Studies (IOCS) in Cambridge, seeks to raise awareness about the plight and the needs of survivors of sexual violence in Tigray and other conflict-affected areas of Ethiopia. It will comprise of a series of talks by leading advocates who have documented the sexual violence committed against women and girls (as and in some cases, boys and men) in Tigray, as well as first-person accounts from organisations that are currently responding to the needs of the survivors on the ground.

The aim of the event is to raise funds to support the first respondents on the ground and the survivors. The fundraiser will be accompanied by a film screening, an art exhibition and a reception. Everyone is welcome but attendees must register on Eventbrite.

Film screening

Nebsei, meaning ‘my body’ in Tigrigna, is a short film revealing the story of women who faced sexual and gender based violence during the Tigray War in Ethiopia. The film responds to research surrounding the themes of gender-based violence during the ‘Tigray War’, its psychological effects on society, and hopes of reconciliation, justice and healing. Many reports and interviews from the survivors inform the idea and narration of the film. As a coproduction between the artist Gabrielle Tesfaye and researcher Mitiku Gabrehiwot, it aims to inform and contribute to the healing of societies and those affected by the ‘Tigray War’#.’ Nebsei (2023) screened at the Living Democracy exhibition, Brunei Gallery at SOAS London University from the 12th of January to the 16th of March 2024.

About the art exhibition

The idea of the art exhibition was inspired by Dr Romina Istratii’s own artistic background and experience of witnessing the war in Tigray during 2020-2022 from Addis Ababa, where she was based. As soon as reports about sexual violence started to emerge, Dr Istratii sought to raise international awareness by writing for select platforms and producing related research. Due to the communications blockade in Tigray, the available documentation at the time was limited, and what came to light was contested. During the summer of 2024, Dr Istratii was inspired to create a series of oil paintings depicting survivors of sexual violence featured in newspapers and online media in an effort to make their plight more ‘tangible’ to those distanced from the realities of war. A series of these paintings will be featured at the fundraiser.

The art exhibition will also present professional art by Gabrielle Tesfaye, who created the illustrations of the book In Plain Sight and co-produced the film ‘Nebsei.’

Programme

Dr Romina Istratii

Introduction on the role of sexual violence in the recent war in Tigray

Ms Birhan Gebrekirstos

Talk based on the co-authored book TEARING THE BODY, BREAKING THE SPIRIT: Women And Girls’ Rape Stories From The Tigray Genocidal War

Screening of short film ‘Nebsei’ (My Body’) created by Ms Gabrielle Tesfaye and Mr Mitiku Gebrehiwot Tesfaye followed by a Q&A with co-creator Gabrielle Tesfaye

Ms Rita Kahsay

Talk based on the co-authored book In Plain Sight: Seeking Justice for Sexual Violence in the Tigray War

Dr Dawit Araya

Presentation of EASE initiative in Tigray and current supporting programmes for survivors

Art exhibition and reception

Speakers’ bios

Ms Birhan Gebrekirstos Mezgbo

Birhan Gebrekirstos Mezgbo is a committed humanitarian, educator, and advocate for the rights of women and girls, particularly those affected by conflict-based sexual violence. In June 2024, Birhan founded FETLI CSO, an organization dedicated to supporting survivors of sexual violence, especially those impacted by the Tigray war. She has been instrumental in leading initiatives and projects that provide critical services and hope to those most vulnerable. Among her many accomplishments is the “She Heals, We Heal” project, funded by the DW Akademie, which is focused on empowering young women and girls affected by war, violence, and displacement. Birhan played a pivotal role in documenting widespread sexual violence during the Tigray war., she co author these findings in a book titled Mekanit (translated into English as Tearing the Body, Breaking the Spirit), with all proceeds going directly to support  conflict based sexual violence victims in Tigray. Birhan is a DW Akademie fellow and a current Master’s student in Humanitarian Affairs at Tufts University, Boston.

Ms Rita Kahsay

Rita Kahsay is the Executive Director of Irob Anina, a non-profit, civil society organisation that established in 2021 to advocate for the Irob ethnic minority people in Tigray. It has since expanded its focus to include all Tigrayan victims of the conflict, with a particular focus on sexual violence survivors and those from marginalised social groups. Rita was based in  refugee camps in Sudan throughout the Tigray conflict, where she supported the refugee community pouring across the border to document the atrocities they had experienced, and assisted them to access essential services, including medical care. At Irob Anina, she carries out high-level advocacy on behalf of both Tigrayan sexual violence survivors and the Irob minority, including addressing the African Commission, speaking at side events at two UN Human Rights Council sessions, briefing the European Union and organising and presenting at three UK House of Commons events. She supports three Tigrayan victim associations to conduct their own advocacy around their rights to justice, including one group of sexual violence survivors and one group from the Irob minority.

Ms Gabrielle Tesfaye

Gabrielle Tesfaye is an interdisciplinary artist versed in painting, animation, film, and design. Her work, rooted in cultural storying and heritage preservation, reflects her multicultural roots of Jamaica, India, and Tigray. Tesfaye studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC, Mahidol University in Bangkok, and completed her BFA at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and MFA at Virginia Commonwealth University in Doha. She has been recognized in publications like BBC and Vogue, and her work has been exhibited internationally. Tesfaye directed the acclaimed film The Water Will Carry Us Home, an official selection of the Black Star Film Festival, and won best experimental film at Reel Sisters of the Diaspora. She is currently based in Mekelle, Tigray.

Dr Dawit Kassa

Dr Dawit Kassa is a medical doctor and the co-founder and Executive Director of EASE (Extending Access and Systems Enhancement), an organisation established to improve access to medical and humanitarian resources for hard-to-reach populations in Tigray. EASE focuses on using pre-existing and community-based systems to improve the delivery of aid and urgently needed services to these communities conducting research on Assessing the Effectiveness of Rape Survivor Services and Referral Pathways in Eastern Tigray, Ethiopia. He is the co-author of the book In Plain Sight, which details the use of sexual violence throughout the conflict, as told through the testimonies of survivors. Throughout the conflict, Dr Dawit was based in the Um Rakuba refugee camp in Sudan, home to 25 000 refugees, where he ran the camp’s only Maternal and Child Health Centre for Women and Children, including sexual violence survivors. While at the centre, Dr Dawit and his team provided crucial health services to more than 40,000 individuals from both refugee and host communities.

Registration

Please register on Eventbrite: Fundraising event for survivors of sexual violence in Tigray, Ethiopia Tickets, Mon, Nov 18, 2024 at 5:00 PM | Eventbrite

Contact: If you have any questions about the event, please contact Dr Romina Istratii at ri5@soas.ac.uk.