Ethiopia is gearing up to launch its inaugural sexual violence registration system, slated to commence operations next year, as announced by the government.
The system’s primary objective is to combat and address sexual violence against women and children, aiming to address a significant challenge in a nation where prosecuting gender-based violence remains problematic.
Statistics from a 2016 survey reveal that 23% of Ethiopian women have encountered physical violence, with 10% experiencing sexual violence.
However, due to underreporting, the actual figures are likely higher.
The forthcoming system seeks to hold perpetrators of sexual offenses accountable even after serving their sentences.
Once operational, it will prohibit registered sex offenders from employment in schools, orphanages, and other child-centric institutions, according to Seleshi Tadesse, the women’s rights and protection executive at the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, as reported by BBC News Amharic.
With an allocated budget of approximately 10 million birr ($176,000; £140,000) sourced from various institutions, the national sex offense crime registry is envisioned to comprise three categories of pages, including a public page.