Honoring Heaven Awet: A Call to Strengthen Child Protection Laws and Deliver Justice
On 12 July 2024, Ethiopia lost a bright light, Heaven Awet, a vibrant seven-year-old girl whose life was tragically cut short. She was raped and murdered by a man that was intimate to her, residing in the same compound while her mother was on duty. Her untimely passing has left a lasting void in the hearts of her family and community, reminding them how girls are vulnerable to such a horrific attack at any time, indicating there would be many untold stories in the cracks about the critical need to protect our children.
In response to this tragedy, the legal system has taken steps to deliver justice. The court sentenced the perpetrator to 25 years of rigorous imprisonment. This case and other similar happening underscores the crucial need for strong enforcement of laws designed to protect our children and ensure justice prevails.