In May 2015, Tsega Belachew escaped her abductors in Ethiopia after nine days by climbing out a window. That bold act sparked Tsega’s Sisterhood—a survivor-led movement to end gender-based violence. From one woman’s fight, a community rose where survivors lead, not just heal.

Breaking the Silence

Tsega’s story is not unique, but her response was. Instead of retreating into silence, she turned her pain into purpose, vowing that no woman should suffer alone. She founded Tsega’s Sisterhood to unite survivors, amplify their voices, and challenge the cultural, legal, and societal barriers that perpetuate gender-based violence. What began as one woman’s fight has grown into a powerful community where survivors don’t just heal—they lead.

We envision a society where no woman suffers in silence, where justice is swift and sure, and where survivors are at the forefront of the fight for women’s rights. In this future, gender-based violence is not tolerated, and systems are rebuilt to protect, not fail, those who need them most.