Breaking the Silence: Langafa’s Journey from Survivor to Advocate in South Ethiopia

A sexual assault by a family member left her pregnant, yet 17-year-old Langafa* dreams of becoming a teacher. 

“I want other survivors to know it’s possible to heal and rebuild your life,” says Langafa*, from Kencho Kebele in South Ethiopia, who lives with a hearing impairment. “I want other survivors to know they are not alone.”

After the sexual assault, she felt shame, fear and loneliness. The stigma of sexual violence, compounded by the fact that the perpetrator was a family member, weighed heavily on her. She worried about her recovery and the uncertainty of her future.

Isolated and unsure where to turn, she heard about Marie Stopes International’s (MSI’s) Ethiopia’s outreach team, which had been raising awareness about gender-based violence (GBV) and inclusion of disabled people in her community.

With the help of a sign language interpreter, Langafa reached out to the MSI outreach team and received immediate medical care, counselling, and psychological support. She was referred to a GBV support group, where specialized counselling sessions helped her regain her sense of self-worth. The clinical team also provided her with long-acting family planning services, ensuring she could make informed decisions about her reproductive health.

In Ethiopia, 5.8 million people are in dire need of GBV prevention, mitigation, and response services. Women and girls bear the brunt of this crisis, especially in rural areas like Kencho Kebele, where traditional gender roles dominate. Women are often confined to domestic duties and excluded from decision-making, while cultural norms sometimes justify violence, including intimate partner abuse.

Early and forced marriages exacerbate vulnerabilities, exposing young girls to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, while denying them education and economic independence. Survivors of GBV face numerous barriers to accessing support, from limited healthcare and counseling services to a lack of legal resources. Stigma and fear of retribution often silence their voices.

According to the 2019 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS), 23% of Ethiopian women aged 15–49 have experienced physical violence, while 10% have experienced sexual violence, with 7% reporting incidents in the past 12 months.

In response, Marie Stopes International (MSI) Ethiopia, with support from the Canada-funded Owning Their Futures project, has been working to challenge harmful social norms, promote gender equality, and provide survivors with access to essential services. Their comprehensive approach integrates GBV awareness into outreach, counselling, and clinical services. Health Extension Workers, Outreach Team Leaders, and Adolescent Health Officers engage communities through events, campaigns, and sensitization efforts, particularly focusing on adolescent girls and people with disabilities in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services.

Over time, Langafa began to heal. Inspired by the support she received, she decided to speak out about her experience. Langafa now uses her voice to advocate for a safer, more supportive environment for survivors in her community.

For communities like Kencho Kebele, continued efforts to challenge harmful norms and expand access to resources are essential to breaking the cycle of violence and creating a future where women and girls can live free from fear.

 Langafa shows that recovery is possible. Her voice is now a beacon of hope for survivors of gender-based violence in her community.

*Name changed for privacy and anonymity.