Exploring the youth perceptions of factors contributing to victims’ silence during the armed conflict in Ethiopia
Outcomes: Gender‑Based Violence
View SourceKey Social Norms Take-aways Social norms—including stigma, normalization of violence, and expectations around silence—play a central role in sustaining underreporting of violence in conflict settings. The study highlights that violence becomes socially tolerated during armed conflict, and norms around shame, fear, and bystander inaction reinforce a culture of silence. These norms are not only individual perceptions but are embedded in broader socio-cultural systems that discourage disclosure and protect perpetrators. Critically, the discussion emphasizes that shifting these entrenched norms requires community-level change, including breaking bystander silence and addressing stigma and economic dependency, rather than focusing solely on victims.
Objectives The study aims to explore youth perceptions of the factors contributing to victims’ silence and underreporting of violence against women and children during armed conflict in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, with a focus on psychological, social, cultural, and institutional influences.
Methods A community-based cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted across multiple districts in South Gondar Zone, Ethiopia, with 592 youth (aged 18–30) selected through random household sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires capturing perceptions of underreporting, including social norms and cultural beliefs, stigma, fear, and institutional barriers. Statistical analysis (SPSS) included descriptive statistics, bivariate odds ratios, and multivariate regression to identify factors associated with perceived victim silence.
Results Youth identified multiple interconnected drivers of underreporting, including fear of retaliation, fear of social stigma, economic dependence on perpetrators, emotional manipulation, and the silence of bystanders. Social and cultural norms—particularly stigma and normalization of violence—were prominent factors shaping these perceptions. Multivariate analysis confirmed that fear of retaliation, economic dependence, social stigma, and bystander silence significantly increased the likelihood of victim silence. These findings reflect how conflict contexts intensify existing gendered and social norms that discourage reporting.
Conclusions The study concludes that victim silence is driven by a complex interplay of social norms, economic vulnerability, and conflict-related conditions. Addressing underreporting requires multi-level interventions that challenge stigma, strengthen community accountability, and empower victims economically and socially. The findings underscore that without transforming harmful social norms—especially those that normalize violence and discourage speaking out—efforts to reduce violence and improve reporting will remain limited in conflict-affected settings.
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