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A report by rights group, Human Rights Watch, has accused the Ethiopian government of blocking help to survivors of rape and sexual violence following a year of fighting in the northern Tigray region. The 89-page report details the health impact, trauma, and stigma experienced by rape survivors since the beginning of the armed conflict in the Tigray region in November 2020.

The report says women and girls between the ages of six and 80 have been raped since fighting erupted last year. Laetitia Bader, Horn of Africa director at Human Rights Watch told Newsday the assaults leave the victims with physical and psychological injuries - and the international community must record these crimes for future justice.

"Basically our report looks at the medical and mental health needs of the multiple survivors of very violent sexual violence that has taken place in the Tigray region. Medical assistance is not reaching Tigray right now."

"There are many who want to tell their story, who want the world to know what is happening. It's absolutely essential that the international community provide the mechanisms... for these stories to be documented."

(Pic: A woman is supported by another at a 'safe house'; Credit: AFP)

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