Community Leaders in Adigrat Trained to Combat Early Marriage, HIV, and Gender-Based Violence

Adigrat , Tigray, Ethiopia –

In a critical step toward addressing the ongoing social crises in Tigray, a comprehensive training session was held at Adigrat Li Zemenawi Hotel on March 26, 2025. The training focused on preventing early marriage, HIV/AIDS, and gender-based violence (GBV), particularly in post-war communities. Organized with the aim of empowering local change-makers, the session brought together 25 participants, including religious leaders, elders, university students and teachers, and youth representatives.

The workshop tackled the root causes and consequences of underage marriage, a practice that has surged in rural areas due to economic hardship. Participants learned how such marriages disrupt girls’ education, increase their vulnerability to health complications like fistula and HIV, and entrench cycles of poverty and abuse.

Discussions also emphasized the alarming rise of HIV/AIDS in the aftermath of the war, especially among young girls forced into early marriages with older men. Religious leaders and youth questioned the effectiveness of existing legal institutions and called for urgent community sensitization and health education to curb the spread of disease.

Gender-based violence featured prominently in the training, with attendees acknowledging its normalization in society and the failure of relevant bodies to intervene. “Violence against women has become increasingly horrific and painful,” one participant noted, urging stronger legal action and community awareness.

Trainers praised the inclusion of diverse community voices and stressed the need to differentiate between cultural traditions and harmful practices. Participants unanimously recommended that similar training be extended to rural areas and include broader community involvement for sustained impact.

The session concluded with a call for collaborative action among religious leaders, health workers, elders, and legal experts to protect women and children and build a more just and resilient society in Tigray.