By Staff Writer
(Nairobi, Kenya) — Regional officials in Ethiopia’s Amhara Regional State have warned that perpetrators of sexual violence are deliberately executing crimes in secluded settings without witnesses or physical evidence, creating major legal hurdles to holding offenders accountable.
Speaking in an interview with Menaharia Radio, Deseta Fenta, Director of Women’s Affairs at the Amhara Region Women, Youth, and Social Affairs Bureau, stated that ongoing regional insecurity has exposed women and children to heightened levels of gender-based violence.
According to Ms. Deseta, while law enforcement and judicial bodies are attempting to investigate reported cases, the premeditated nature of these offenses complicates prosecution.
Because formal legal proceedings require concrete forensic or witness evidence to substantiate charges, suspect cases frequently stall. Due to insufficient evidentiary grounds during initial hearings, accused individuals are routinely granted bail, after which many abscond from jurisdiction.
“Those who commit violence against women carry out their acts in a planned manner without witnesses or evidence, creating challenging circumstances for taking legal action,” Ms. Deseta noted, adding that the release of suspects on bail has fueled fear and anxiety among survivors and local communities.
Addressing the broader impact of conflict and insecurity, the bureau emphasized that women and children bear the heaviest burden of regional instability. Officials called for synchronized intervention between state agencies and international non-governmental organizations to deliver long-term support.
Currently, survivors are accessing medical care, psychological counseling, and legal assistance through regional “One-Stop Centers” and dedicated “Safe Houses.” Following primary medical and psychological stabilization, the bureau provides transitional livelihood grants to assist survivors in reintegrating into their communities.
Ms. Deseta reaffirmed that the bureau is working alongside justice sector partners to strengthen evidence collection frameworks, push for deterrent sentencing, and build community-level support networks for survivors.
__
Join our Telegram Channel: t.me/borkena
Like borkena on Facebook
Join the conversation. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @zborkena to get the latest Ethiopian news updates regularly. Subscribe to the YouTube channel. To share information or for submission, email info@borkena.com