መንገዷ | Her Path

A monthly spotlight on girls overcoming barriers

Seble's Journey: Sexual Abuse

by Claire Schreder

Her story begins here—written not in fear, but in strength.

Sexual assault remains a critical issue in Ethiopia. A 2005 World Health Organization study reported that 59% of Ethiopian women had experienced sexual abuse by a partner at some point in their lives. More recently, a systematic review published in April 2024 revealed that 41.15% of children in Ethiopia had been subjected to sexual abuse. The primary perpetrators were identified as neighbors, romantic partners, family members, schoolteachers, and strangers. However, these statistics likely underestimate the true prevalence of sexual violence due to widespread underreporting, driven by societal stigma, fear of retaliation, and limited access to reporting mechanisms.

Despite the challenges associated with speaking out, Seble, a 19 year old, 10th-grade Studio Samuel student from Addis Ababa, has chosen to share her story. Her resilience serves as a beacon of hope for other students facing similar adversities. Through her journey, she demonstrates that even in the face of trauma, healing and success are possible. She hopes her story will encourage others to seek support, pursue their dreams, and reclaim their futures.

Seble was born in Addis Ababa and is 19 years old. Her life took a challenging turn at the age of four when her parents divorced. Following the separation, her mother traveled to the United Arab Emirates to work as a housemaid, leaving Seble in the care of her older sister in a small, rural area outside Addis Ababa.

Life in her village was arduous. Her aunt was wealthy, owning large farmlands and numerous cattle, but Seble was treated more like a servant than a family member. She spent her days tending to cattle and working on the farm, only finding time to study at night. A local custom dictated that when a wealthy family's daughter married, a young girl was sent to serve her. Consequently, Seble was forced to work for her cousin, who subjected her to severe mistreatment. She was given little to eat and endured the harsh cold of this region without adequate clothing.

Despite these hardships, Seble remained a bright and determined student. After four years, an aunt in Addis Ababa recognized her intelligence and brought her back to the city. There, she restarted school from grade one. Life improved slightly—she had food and some time to rest—but she was still burdened with all household chores, caring for her younger cousins, cooking, baking injera, and washing clothes.

After another four years, her mother returned from the UAE with a new husband and two children. Hoping for a better life, Seble moved in with them, but her difficulties persisted. Her stepfather was unemployed, making her mother the family's sole provider. To sustain the household, her mother worked tirelessly in the market selling random goods and took on domestic labor for others. Due to her mother’s work, Seble was responsible for caring for her younger brother, who had health issues.

One night, a visit from a male family acquaintance changed everything. Due to the limited sleeping arrangements, she was forced to share a mattress with him. That night, she was sexually assaulted. The next morning, she awoke in shock, her dress stained with blood. Struggling to comprehend the gravity of the situation, she remained silent, crying in secret. When she eventually confided in her mother, her pain was dismissed with indifference. Her mother merely remarked, “Maybe it’s just your period; it happens.” Seble was left devastated, lost in pain, and unable to see a way forward from this trauma that consumed her.

At that time, Seble was attending a school counseling session at Studio Samuel Girls Academy focused on understanding the impacts of physical and mental abuse. Deeply moved by the discussion, she raised her hand and emotionally expressed that, based on her own painful experience, physical abuse felt significantly worse and was unbearable. Her outburst immediately captured the attention of Tsega, Studio Samuel Girls Academy counselor, who promptly arranged to speak privately with her.

During their initial conversation, Seble was overwhelmed and unable to speak clearly, spending the first thirty minutes crying. Tsega patiently and compassionately reassured her that everything she shared would remain confidential unless there was immediate risk to her safety. With gentle encouragement, Seble eventually found the strength to describe the trauma she had endured. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Tsega swiftly formulated a supportive action plan. Seble received timely medical care, including necessary medication to protect her reproductive health and overall well-being.

Seble also attended counseling sessions aimed at supporting her emotional recovery. The therapist utilized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help her restructure negative thought patterns, along with behavioral therapy to foster positive coping strategies. Initially, she grappled with profound self-doubt, insomnia, and persistent feelings of worthlessness. However, through therapy and reflective practice, her mindset gradually improved. She began recognizing her own resilience, reminding herself that she had already overcome significant hardships since childhood, and gained confidence in her ability to overcome this trauma as well.

As she worked toward rebuilding her life, she sought solace in structured activities that provided a sense of stability and purpose. She gravitated toward skill-building programs, where she was introduced to sewing and computer training. The rhythm of creating something with her hands became a refuge, allowing her to regain confidence in herself. Over time, these activities, along with a supportive network of mentors and peers, helped reinforce her sense of self-worth. Through the encouragement of those around her, she found ways to set goals beyond her trauma, gradually shifting her focus toward the future.

Currently, Seble remains deeply committed to her studies, ranking among the top ten students at Studio Samuel Girls Academy. Excelling in chemistry, physics, and mathematics, she aspires to pursue a career in management. The leadership and problem-solving skills she cultivated through these programs have given her the confidence to envision a future where she can take control of her own path. Her long-term ambition is to establish her own fashion design center, drawing upon the skills she has learned throughout her journey. Seble continues to build a future for herself, demonstrating that despite the profound challenges of her past, she possesses the strength to persevere and thrive.

She’s now choosing to share her story to give strength to others who may be walking the same path. With courage rooted in her own healing, she’s determined to show that even in the darkest moments, no girl is alone.