A Safe Space for Every Woman and Girl

Aberash once had everything she needed: cows and goats, fertile land, and a large house that could comfortably hold her family. Her husband is a hardworking man, and together they raised six children in a town located in the Western zone of Tigray, Ethiopia. Life was peaceful and full of promise.

Then the conflict in Northern Ethiopia changed everything. Their home, possessions, and sense of security were lost overnight.

“We had to flee to save our lives,” Aberash recalls. She fled with her three daughters, while her husband and sons crossed into Sudan, hoping to find safety and opportunity there.

The journey to Seharti district in the Southeastern Zone of Tigray, where her sister lived, was long and dangerous. They travelled more than 500 kilometres on foot for days amidst the conflict, and the mental and physical toll was immense. After reaching Seharti, Aberash and her daughters felt isolated and detached. There were no familiar faces, no friends to turn to, and little to do. Though the children started school, they struggled to make friends. Aberash remembers her youngest, Mizan, falling into depression and experiencing flashbacks, finding it difficult to connect with her siblings and classmates.

“I worry for my children. I wonder when I will see my sons and worry if my daughters will be okay. Mizan’s behaviour was changing. She used to argue with me on simple things and refused to help in the house,” said Aberash.

With support from the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP), World Vision established a Women and Girls Safe Space near where they currently live. The space has become a lifeline for both mother and daughter, along with over 11,000 children and women in the community in 2025. Aberash began taking part in awareness sessions, handicraft activities, and group discussions with other women, while Mizan joined the Girl Shine Life Skills Program, where she learned to understand her emotions and rebuild her confidence.

“Before taking part in the Girl Shine sessions, I had many negative thoughts and little confidence and hated myself for being created as a girl,” Mizan shared. “I felt sad and insecure after we were displaced from our home. But after I joined, I came to understand that being a girl is a gift and that we can indeed succeed in life.”

The Safe Space became a place of comfort and belonging for both Aberash and Mizan, a place where they could relax, laugh, and learn.

“I enjoy being here with my friends. The discussions and trainings we have had eased my worry for my children. We also use the facilities here to shower, we braid our hair, and share the comfort of friendship,” Aberash said. 

Mizan’s dream now is to become a pilot. “We learn many things: how to express ourselves, build confidence, and handle challenges. We’re also taught how to protect ourselves from Gender-Based Violence,” she said with determination. “I have friends now, and I’m doing well in school.”

Aberash has witnessed her daughter’s growth firsthand.

“After joining Girl Shine, my daughter has improved both her behaviour and her education. I’m happy to see my daughter becoming stronger and hopeful,” she said with a smile. “The support came when we really needed it. I also feel better being part of the activities, it helps me forget the pain.”

For Aberash and Mizan, the Safe Space is more than a shelter; it is a place of restoration and dignity. It has given them room to breathe, to learn, and to regain their confidence.

The Safe Space is part of the Ethiopian Humanitarian Protection Project for Prevention, Response, and Resilience, implemented by World Vision in partnership with Gurmuu Development Association and Mums for Mums across Tigray, Oromia, and Amhara regions. Funded by the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP) through DFAT, the project has reached more than 51,000 people in 2025 alone, including thousands of children and women through protection services, psychosocial support, and awareness initiatives that promote safety, healing, and resilience.

By Tigist Taye, Corporate Storytelling Coordinator, World Vision Ethiopia