Apr 9, 20212 min read

Eritrea

Population size: 

3,213,972 [1]

Number of people experiencing domestic abuse each year:

Women who have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence in their lifetime: Official National Statistics Not Available

Physical and/or Sexual Intimate Partner Violence in the last 12 months against women: Official National Statistics Not Available

Lifetime Non-Partner Sexual Violence against women: Official National Statistics Not Available.[2]

According to one study, conducted in 2001 in the Central Region of Eritrea, 40% of women have been victims of domestic violence. Another regional study indicated that as many as 90% of women are subject to domestic violence.[3]

No research on male victims or other gender identities.

Cost of domestic abuse to the economy each year:

No research.

Estimated % change due to COVID-19:

No research.

Current law and policy:

The Eritrean government has committed to awareness raising in order to combat general attitudes of tolerance towards domestic violence, even with its illegality.

Eritrea has made notable improvements in education and has committed to formulating a strategy to address patriarchal stereotypes. However, public attitudes of tolerance regarding domestic violence and harmful traditional practises remain. The signing of a peace, friendship and cooperation agreement between Ethiopia and Eritrea (2018) is an opportunity for influencing the adomestic violenceancement of gender equality. The law does not specifically criminalise marital rape. Official authorities rarely intervene, due to societal attitudes, a lack of trained personnel, and inadequate funding.

The National Union of Eritrean Women, mandated by the government to promote gender equality and working in coordination with ministries, commissions, government agencies and other national associations established regional committees in 2017 to develop regional human rights actions plans from 2018-22. The approach centres upon prevention through awareness-raising. The latest National Gender Action Plan (2015-19) had identified priority areas (education, health, economic empowerment, environment etc.) to adomestic violenceance women and its impact analysis report is expected in 2020. Due to Eritrea being a largely closed state, it is difficult to access accurate domestic violence statistics and assess the progress of government-led policies.

However, Eritrea has not put in place comprehensive legislation that explicitly criminalizes all forms of violence against women (CEDAW, 2015a). Mechanisms of redress, rehabilitation and compensation for women who are victims of violence and on assistance to and protection of witnesses seem to be non-existent (CEDAW, 2015a) There is No research. of services such as health care, counselling centres, legal assistance, shelters, restraining orders and financial aid (OHCHR, 2015, page 5). [4]

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