Mekelle University Launches Research Project on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in Tigray
MEKELLE, March 5, 2026
Mekelle University has officially launched a landmark research initiative titled: “Harm, Silence, and Shame: Sexual and Gender-Based Violence as a Weapon of War in the Armed Conflict in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.”
The project inception workshop, held today at the Axum Hotel, marks the beginning of a collaborative effort between Mekelle University and KU Leuven (Belgium), funded by the Belgian program VLIR-UOS.
Breaking the Silence through Evidence-Based Research
In her opening remarks, Dr. Fana Hagos, President of Mekelle University, emphasized that the project’s primary goal is to generate evidence-based knowledge regarding sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) committed during the Tigray war.
"Academic institutions play an essential role in producing knowledge that informs policy and raises awareness," Dr. Fana stated. "This project is vital for documenting survivors’ experiences and promoting informed responses that support recovery, justice, and accountability."
Key Objectives & Methodology
Project Coordinator Dr. Alemtsehay Tsegay outlined the initiative’s focus on examining the scale, patterns, and long-term impacts of conflict-related SGBV. The research aims to:
Generate Reliable Data: Provide evidence-based recommendations for humanitarian and policy interventions.
Academic Contribution: Strengthen global scholarship on SGBV as a weapon of war.
Survivor-Centered Support: Influence programs that focus on prevention, protection, and psychological recovery.
Ethics and Community Engagement
The workshop concluded with intensive group discussions centered on research ethics and survivor protection. Participants emphasized the importance of engaging with affected communities with the utmost sensitivity and responsibility to ensure the safety and dignity of all survivors involved in the study.
Together, we strive for truth, justice, and healing.
#MekelleUniversity #Tigray #HumanRights #SGBV #ResearchForChange #VLIRUOS #GlobalCollaboration
