Ethiopia’s Tigray: Men forced to rape family members, UN reports

At least 516 rape cases reported by five medical facilities in Mekelle, Adigrat, Wukro, Shire and Axum, UN says.

More than 500 rape cases were reported to five clinics in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, the United Nations said on Thursday, warning because of stigma and a lack of health services the actual numbers were likely to be much higher. “Women say they have been raped by armed actors, they also told stories of gang rape, rape in front of family members and men being forced to rape their own family members under the threat of violence,” Wafaa Said, deputy UN aid coordinator in Ethiopia, said in a briefing to UN member states in New York. She said at least 516 rape cases had been reported by five medical facilities in Mekelle, Adigrat, Wukro, Shire and Axum.