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Eritrea - Eritrea has been colonized by nearly a half a dozen countries including Italy, Britain and, most recently, Ethiopia. In 1961, the Eritrean people began a 30-year war for independence with a military that was over 40 percent female. They won. As soldiers, Eritrean women fighters helped to earn their country’s freedom, as well as their own.
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to form the new constitution
for Eritrea. Now, the Constitution gives…the woman the
same rights as the man, in marriage, property and everything.
If a husband and wife divorce, all of the property should
be shared equally. The woman can also choose marriage and
the family should not insist for her to be married if she
does not want to. There is also an article that says that
the harmful practices to women should be prohibited.
But, it is difficult to change the culture
quickly. Everything gives rights to women but the culture
still exists and it is not easy to implement these policies.
In some areas there is a problem. And, it's not only men,
but also the women themselves. They do not accept these policies,
so the culture needs awareness and change through teaching.
How You Can
Help >
More Photos
of Eritrea >
Back to
Women and War Overview >
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| “My name
is Tsegga. I was born in Adi-Keyh and grew up in
Asmara, the capital of Eritrea. It is the first half of 1975
that the Eritrean liberation forces came to Asmara.” |
This is an excerpt of Tsegga's story as written for the Women and
War Project. |
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The gender
issue was such a very big part of this struggle for the women
fighters. I joined the struggle because our rights were violated.
I learned in the EPLF not only to fight for independence,
but also for equality, and that as a woman I should fight
for women's rights also. Many women fighters are mothers of
children. Some men say that we have lost our femininity because
we wear trousers. But we women fighters speak loudly and oppose
the men's oppression. They don't like it. They want us to
stay at home and use all of our energy for them. But we do
not accept this role. Now the men fighters, like my husband,
welcome us in this issue.
I have never forgotten those who taught
me about my rights and to fight first for independence and
second for equality. In the same manner, I taught and am still
teaching other women who are not conscious of the gender differences
and what we have to do to eliminate these disparities.
In 1994 I was one of 50 people selected
by Parliament to the Constitution
Commission,
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