Written By Lisa Murimi
The brutal rape and murder of seven-year-old Heaven Awot in Bahir Dar, Amhara region, has ignited widespread outrage across Ethiopia.
Heaven was sexually assaulted, mutilated, and killed by her mother’s landlord, Getnet Baye, in August 2023.
Last week, Getnet was sentenced to 25 years in prison, a punishment many Ethiopians believe is far too lenient.
Heaven’s mother, Abekyelesh Adeba, has expressed her deep grief, describing herself as “lifeless” after losing her child.
Over 200,000 people have signed an online petition demanding a harsher sentence, arguing that the severity of the crime warrants life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
The Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association (EWLA) has condemned the sentence as “very light,” emphasizing that the crime’s brutality, particularly against a child, deserves a more severe punishment.
Senior government officials, including Minister for Women and Social Affairs Ergogie Tesfaye, have joined the criticism, calling the crime “inhumane” and pledging to pursue justice.
The case has sparked a national conversation about the safety of women and children in Ethiopia.
Human Rights Watch recently reported alarming levels of sexual violence in the country, with a lack of accountability contributing to its prevalence.
The leniency in Heaven’s case has only deepened concerns about the effectiveness of Ethiopia’s justice system.
