Axum Safehouse Project – Women’s Association of Tigray (WAT) in collaboration with UN Women
(Name changed to protect identity)
Weizero Zenebu is a woman of quiet strength. Around fifty years old, she is a wife, a mother, and a caregiver. Before the war in Tigray, her life—though modest—was built on love and responsibility. She cared for her three surviving children and her husband, who was blind, managing the household with resilience and dignity.
Everything changed on 11 Hidar 2013 E.C.
On that day, Eritrean troops forcibly entered her home. What followed was an act of unimaginable cruelty. Zenebu was gang-raped inside her own house, in front of her blind husband, who was powerless to protect her yet forced to witness every moment. The soldiers attacked her brutally, breaking her legs and assaulting her one after another. She remembers the first four clearly. After that, the pain and trauma overwhelmed her—she lost consciousness. To this day, she does not know how many soldiers violated her body.
As she lay there, unable to walk, severely injured both physically and psychologically, her husband sat nearby, hearing everything, seeing nothing—yet feeling the full weight of horror. The cruelty extended beyond her home: at the same time, soldiers were raping her neighbor, forcing the neighbor’s husband to hide under the bed on which the assault was taking place. These were not isolated acts of violence, but deliberate destruction of families and dignity.
Zenebu later developed Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) as a result of the assault. Her suffering did not end there. Instead of compassion, she faced social isolation. Some members of her community treated her as if she were cursed—deepening her trauma and loneliness.
Her path to healing began when she was admitted to a One-Stop Center in Central Tigray, where she received initial care. From there, she was referred to the Axum Safehouse, a turning point in her life.
At the safehouse, Zenebu received comprehensive medical treatment and psychological counseling. For the first time since the violence, she found a space where she was believed, protected, and respected. She met other women who had endured similar—and sometimes even worse—experiences. Sharing pain in a safe and supportive environment helped her begin to heal.
Beyond healing, the Axum Safehouse offered her hope and dignity through empowerment. She received skills training, and through the Women’s Association of Tigray (WAT), in collaboration with stakeholders , she was provided with initial business capital.
Today, Zenebu can walk again—with the help of a crutch. She now earns a living by selling biscuits, bread, and other small food items on the street. Though her body still carries scars, her spirit has been renewed. She dreams of expanding her business and believes that with additional credit, she could purchase a bakery machine and improve her income, creating a more stable future for herself and her family.
After three months at the Axum Safehouse, Zenebu’s physical and psychological well-being has improved significantly. She expresses deep gratitude to the dedicated staff of the Axum Safehouse for their compassion and tireless commitment. She also extends her heartfelt thanks to WAT and UN Women for restoring her hope and changing her life through the safehouse program.
Today, Zenebu raises her voice—not only for herself, but for others.
She calls on all survivors of Gender-Based Violence to seek support from the safehouses established by WAT and its partners across Tigray. In these spaces, she says, survivors can find healing, strength, and a path forward.
Zenebu’s story is not only a story of pain—it is a testament to survival, solidarity, and the power of compassionate support.