In a groundbreaking move, the Ethiopian government is in the process of establishing the country’s first-ever sexual violence registration system, set to commence operations next year.
The primary objective of this system is to prevent and address sexual violence against women and children, a significant challenge in a country where prosecuting gender-based violence remains difficult.
A survey conducted in 2016 revealed that 23% of Ethiopian women have experienced physical violence, while 10% have been victims of sexual violence. These figures may actually be higher due to underreporting of such incidents.
The forthcoming system will hold sex offenders accountable even after serving their sentences for their crimes. It will also prohibit registered sex offenders from working in environments involving children, such as schools and orphanages.
With an estimated budget of around 10 million birr ($176,000; £140,000), contributions from various institutions will support the national sex offence crime registry. The system is proposed to include three types of pages, including a public page for awareness and accessibility.
This initiative is a crucial step towards combatting sexual violence and providing justice for survivors in Ethiopia.
