Abstract
Since 2019, the war in Ethiopia between the Federal Government and the Tigrean People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has severely impacted civilians, including children. Although children have been affected in many of the war-torn regions of the country, the study targeted two specific locations, Maikadra and Chenna, in Amhara National Regional State, where civilians were massacred because of their ethnicity. The focus of the study was to understand the acute and complex child abuse that occurred in the midst of the war. A qualitative method with a descriptive case study design was employed to collect and analyze data. Twenty-four individuals were purposely selected and participated in the interviews. From Maikadra, the participants included seven children, two parents, two school principals, one eyewitness woman in the community, and one Kebele administrator. Similarly, from Chenna, five children, three parents, two school principals, and one Kebele administrator participated in the interviews. We applied in-depth interviews and systematic observation to gather primary data. Using social ecology as a theoretical framework, the result revealed that at the micro level, community members (particularly children) experienced witnessing killings, experience rape and verbal abuse, intimidation, and the destruction of the family unit. At the mezzo level, the study documented communities’ experiences related to displacement and the destruction of schools and community networks. Further, at the exo level, the study revealed experiences of hunger, starvation, and the emergence of child-headed families. Finally, at the macro community level, the study revealed loss of future aspirations and the development of negative attitudes toward cultural values. All these forms of child abuse, as reported by study participants, are crimes deliberately committed by the TPLF rebel groups. This study suggests multiple interventions at all levels are required.
Highlights
-
This qualitative case study, conducted in war-torn areas of Ethiopia, sheds light on the various contexts in which children were subjected to abuse.
-
The war resulted in child abuse that can be explained at micro, mezzo, exo, and macro system levels.
-
Children were directly targeted and witnessed ethnic-based atrocities. They lost their parents, took on family responsibilities, became orphaned, saw their schools turned into burial sites and were no longer attending school. Their future aspirations have been compromised.
-
War actors from the TPLF perpetuated negative attitudes towards the Amhara cultural values.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adamu, A. (2013). Causes of ethnic tensions and conflicts on campus among University Students in Ethiopia. Conference Paper Series, No. EDU2013-0644.
Akresh, R., Lucchetti, L., & Thirumurthy, H. (2012). Wars and child health: Evidence from the Eritrean–Ethiopian conflict. Journal of Development Economics, 99(2), 330–340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdeveco.2012.04.001.
Anning, C., Denselow, J., Fylkes, K. G., & Kirollos, M. (2018). The War on Children: Time to end grave violations against children in conflict. https://resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/pdf/war_on_children-web.pdf/.
Belay, F. Y. (2016). Conceptualizations and Impacts of Multiculturalism in the Ethiopian Education System [Ph.D., University of Toronto (Canada)]. https://www.proquest.com/docview/1819297605/abstract/32A3AB024E8C4BE7PQ/1.
Betancourt, T. S., Keegan, K., Farrar, J., & Brennan, R. T. (2020). The intergenerational impact of war on mental health and psychosocial wellbeing: Lessons from the longitudinal study of war-affected youth in Sierra Leone. Conflict and Health, 14(1), 62. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13031-020-00308-7.
Biset, G., Goshiye G., Gedamu, S., & Tsehay, M. (2023). The effects of conflict on child and adolescent health in Amhara region, Ethiopia: Cross-sectional study. BMC Pediatrics, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-023-04282-w.
Blanchard, L. P. (2021). Ethiopia’s Transition and the Tigray Conflict (R46905; p. 32). https://crsreports.congress.gov.
Blanchet-Cohen, N., Denov, M., Fraser, S., & Bilotta, N. (2017). The nexus of war, resettlement, and education: War-affected youth’s perspectives and responses to the Quebec education system. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 60, 160–168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2017.04.016.
Bookchin, M. (1996). The philosophy of social ecology (2°). Black Rose books. http://gen.lib.rus.ec/book/index.php?md5=DF2E6D94D5EECF10F7C4135D77B446C2.
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa.
Bronfenbrenner, U. (1981). The Ecology of Human Development: Experiments by Nature and Design. http://gen.lib.rus.ec/book/index.php?md5=60ae6590e0d4ca0d3b51fbc9902b0c44.
Campbell, D. T., & Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods (Sixth edition.). SAGE Publications. http://gen.lib.rus.ec/book/index.php?md5=e82418db120c171268b08ba825136799.
Coady, N., & Lehmann, P. (2007). Theoretical Perspectives for Direct Social Work Practice: A Generalist-Eclectic Approach. Springer Publishing Company.
Chukwu, E. N., & Aronu, I. N. (2018). Impacts of War on the family and marriage: A case study the Nigerian-Biafra war (1967-1970). A paper presented at the 2018 Women and the Nigeria-Biafra War International conference in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the war.
Cohen, D. K. (2013). Explaining Rape during Civil War: Cross-National Evidence (1980–2009). American Political Science Review, 107(3), 461–477. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0003055413000221.
Collier, P., Elliott, V. L., Hegre, H., Hoeffler, A., Reynal-Querol, M., & Sambanis, N. (2003). Breaking the Conflict Trap: Civil War and Development Policy. World Bank. https://doi.org/10.1596/978-0-8213-5481-0.
Creswell, J. W. (2007). Qualitative inquiry & research design: Choosing among five approaches (2nd ed.). (Sage Publications.
Deleersnyder, A.-E. (2021). Ethiopia’s Tigray conflict: Exposing the limits of EU and AU early warning mechanisms. Ground News. https://ground.news/article/ethiopias-tigray-conflict-exposing-the-limits-of-eu-and-au-early-warning-mechanisms.
Denov, M., & Shevell, M. C. (2019). Social work practice with war-affected children and families: The importance of family, culture, arts, and participatory approaches. Journal of Family Social Work, 22(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/10522158.2019.1546809.
Duman, N. (2016). Importance of School Social Work in War and Conflicts Zone. European Journal of Social Science Education and Research, 3(2), 191–194. https://doi.org/10.26417/ejser.v6i2.p191-194.
EHRC. (2020). Rapid Investigation into Grave Human Rights Violation Maikadra—Preliminary Findings. https://ehrc.org/ethiopian-human-rights-commission-rapid-investigation-into-grave-human-rights-violation-maikadra-preliminary-findings/.
EHRC. (2021). Amhara Region: Discovery of bodies in Dabat Woreda. https://ehrc.org/amhara-region-discovery-of-bodies-in-dabat-woreda/.
Evans, H. N. (2019). Genocide and Severe Past Persecution: Child Survivors of Genocide as Per Se Refugees. Harvard Human Rights Journal, 32, 189.
Fisseha, G., Gebrehiwot, T. G., Gebremichael, M. W., Wahdey, S., Meles, G. G., Gezae, K. E., … & Mulugeta, A. (2023). War-related sexual and gender-based violence in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia: a community-based study. BMJ global health, 8(7), e010270.
Gebru, D. A. (2012). Ethnocentrism and Ethnic-Based Peer Preferences in Higher Education Institutions: Challenges and Implications for Ethiopia. International Journal of Educational Reform, 21(1), 47–61. https://doi.org/10.1177/105678791202100104.
Geoghegan, T. (2019). Global Childhood Report 2019: Changing lives in our lifetime. Save the Children’s Resource Centre. https://resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/pdf/global_childhood_report_2019_english.pdf/.
Gutema, G., Kaba, M., Birhanu, Z., Diribi, J., & Elemo, I. (2023). Impact of armed conflicts on public health infrastructure and services in Oromia, Ethiopia. Cureus, 15(6). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.40653.
Holmes, D. G. A. (2020). Researcher positionality-A consideration of its influence and place in qualitative research: A new research guide. International Journal of Education, 8(4), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.34293/education.v8i4.3232.
Jones, N., Abebe, W., Emirie, G., Gebeyehu, Y., Gezahegn, K., Tilahun, K., Workneh, F., Vintges, J. (2022). Disrupted educational pathways: The effects of conflict on adolescent educational access and learning in war-torn Ethiopia. Frontiers in Education, https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2022.963415.
Kaplan, S. (2013). Child Survivors of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide and trauma-related affect. Journal of Social Issues, 69(1), 92–110. https://doi.org/10.1111/josi.12005.
Kien, L., & My, N. (2020). The impacts of armed conflict on child health: Evidence from 56 developing countries, MPRA paper 109896. Germany: University Library of Munich. https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/109896/1/MPRA_paper_109896.pdf.
Madoro, D., Mengistu, N., & Molla, W. (2021). Association of Conflict-Affected Environment on Ethiopian Students’ Mental Health and Its Correlates During COVID-19 Era. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 17, 3283–3292. https://doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S338073.
Marshall, M. N. (1996). The key informant technique. Family Practice, 13(1), 92–97. https://doi.org/10.1093/fampra/13.1.92.
Matthews, B., & Ross, L. (2010). Research methods: A practical guide for the social sciences. Longman. http://gen.lib.rus.ec/book/index.php?md5=3fd1ac295dce6f75e9450aed8effa860.
McElroy, E., Hyland, P. Shevlin, M., Karatzias, T., Valliéres, F., Ben-Ezra, M., Vang, L.M., Lorberg, B., & Martsenkovsky. (2023). Change in child mental health during the Ukraine war: Evidence from a large sample of parents. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-023-02255-z.
Ritchie, J. B., Lewis, J., Nicholls, C. M., & Ormston, R. (2013). Qualitative Research Practice: A Guide for Social Science Students and Researchers (2nd ed.). Sage Publications Ltd. http://gen.lib.rus.ec/book/index.php?md5=32A48F06B4742F834E01A247B156A38F.
Santa Barbara, J. (2006). Impact of War on Children and Imperative to End War. Croatian Medical Journal, 47(6), 891–894. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2080482/.
Swenson, C. C., & Chaffin, M. (2006). Beyond psychotherapy: Treating abused children by changing their social ecology. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 11(2), 120–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2005.07.004.
Triplehorn, C. (2001). EDUCATION – Care & Protection of Children in Emergencies. A Field Guide. Save the Children’s Resource Centre. https://resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/pdf/2388.pdf/.
Tsadik, M., Gebretnsae, H., Ayalew, A., Asgedom, A.A., Gebreyesus, A., Hagos, T., Abrha, M., Weldegerima, K., Abrha, B., Gebre, G., Hagos, M., Esayas, R., Gebregeorgis, M., Gesesew, A.H., & Mulugeta, A. (2023). Child health services and armed conflict in Tigray, North Ethiopia:A community-based study. Conflict and Health. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13031-023-00545-6.
UNHCR Global Report (2021). UNHCR Operational Data Portal (ODP). Retrieved July 28, 2023, from https://data.unhcr.org/en/documents/details/93861.
UNICEF. (2009a). Machel Study 10-year Strategic Review: Children and Conflict in a Changing World. UNICEF.
UNICEF. (2009b). Machel Study 10-year Strategic Review: Children and Conflict in a Changing World. UNICEF.
Walliman, N. (2006). Social Research Methods (SAGE Course Companions). Sage Publications Ltd. http://gen.lib.rus.ec/book/index.php?md5=952369b8be113f9642247dcefe572ac5.
Werner, E. E. (2012). Children and war: Risk, resilience, and recovery. Development and Psychopathology, 24(2), 553–558. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579412000156.
Wessells, M., & Kostelny, K. (2012). Everyday distress: Psychosocial and economic impact of forced migration on children and families. The Oxford Handbook of Poverty and Child Development. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199769100.013.0035.
Yin, R. K. (2003). Applications of case study research (2nd.). Sage Publications. http://gen.lib.rus.ec/book/index.php?md5=69f85b330fad266a385ece9e3c2acf11.
Zainal, Z. (2007). Case Study As a Research Method. Jurnal Kemanusiaan, 5(1), 1. https://jurnalkemanusiaan.utm.my/index.php/kemanusiaan/article/view/165.
Acknowledgements
The document has been fully edited with the discussion of Pamela Craven. She is a professional English language editor and translator. She is the language support teacher for the first two authors at Queen’s University School of English in Canada. We are thankful to Pamela for her contribution to editing the language of this paper. Email: pamelabythesea@yahoo.ca.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare no competing interests.
Additional information
Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Mekonen, A.A., Tadese, G.G., Gashaw, S.D. et al. Nature of child abuse in war-torn districts in Ethiopia: the case of Amhara Region, Chenna and Maikadra. J Child Fam Stud (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-024-02837-8
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-024-02837-8