Country: Ethiopia Source: Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect For the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women Dear Members of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, We, the undersigned regional and international civil society organizations, write to express our deep concern about the persistent and widespread human rights abuses faced by women and girls across Ethiopia. As the international community gathers to discuss the Commission on the Status of Women, we bring to the attention of the Committee the importance of bringing the situation of women and girls across Ethiopia to the fore, including those impacted by the war and humanitarian crises. War, Insecurity, and Gender-Based Violence Women and girls in various parts of the country, including in Tigray, Amhara, Oromia, and Benishangul-Gumuz, have been significantly affected by war and insecurity. Reports indicate that conflict-related sexual violence has been noted in various parts of the country by the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF), Eritrean Defense Forces (EDF), Amhara Militia (Fano), and other armed actors, thereby requiring immediate action. Widespread abuses against women and girls across multiple regions have been documented by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human rights and multiple international human rights organizations, amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity. These acts violate Geneva Conventions, particularly Common Article 3, as well as Additional Protocol II (applicable to NIAC) and the protections of civilians under the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibit violence against civilians, including rape, outrages upon personal dignity, and cruel treatment. When committed during armed conflict, these acts constitute war crimes under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, and when they are widespread or systematic against a civilian population, they also constitute crimes against humanity under Art