Eritrea: a home for 45 orphan girls

Dear Friends,

In such a conflictual period of human history, our attention is focused on wars and human rights violations most widely reported in the international media. If you try to get up-to-date news about Eritrea, however, you will be unable to find hardly any. This is the effect of a process of restricted communication that prevents people from having their demands heard.

In this report we would like to focus on girls and women conditions in Eritrea, giving them visibility. The systematic targeting of women’s bodies in war has come to light as a strategy used around the world. Women are subjected to specific forms of violence, in particular sexual violence, or what has been termed “gender-based violence”. Clearly men are also victims of violence, but it is the gendered nature of violence which marks the experience of women as different.

In Eritrea women are constantly subjected to physical violence, while also being victims of socio-political forces and ethnic and border-related conflicts. The Tigray conflict is having a devastating impact on children and women. Health facilities have been damaged and there is a shortage of medical supplies and drugs, leaving children, pregnant women and those who have suffered sexual violence without access to vital healthcare. Children have also been out of school for months, putting them at risk of exploitation.

In this general context, Aleimar supports the local partner with the aim of ensuring a safe space where 45 girls and young women can grow up, learn and have fun. This is “Casa Foca” home. Every day girls can have access to daily meals, shelter, medical care and education. Day-to-day activities such as these are crucial when living in such conflict-ridden area because all the girls hosted have the right to enjoy their childhood.

This is possible thanks to your precious support!

Together we can make these girls dream of a better future.

Thank you!