Liza Desalegn was a bright, ambitious young woman from Kobo City in Ethiopia’s Amhara region. She studied at a college in Dessie and dreamed of building a better future — for herself, her family, and her country.

But on October 7, 2025, Liza’s life was cut short in the most brutal way imaginable. After telling a friend she was going to repair her mobile phone, she vanished. That evening, her body was discovered near Buambua-Wuha in Dessie.

Preliminary reports indicated she had been sexually assaulted and murdered, her body bearing signs of severe beating and stabbing. Liza was just a student — not a political figure, not wealthy or powerful — and yet her story now stands as a symbol of how Ethiopia continues to fail its women and girls.

Liza’s death sparked outrage across Ethiopia. Social media filled with the hashtag #JusticeForLiza, echoing the pain and anger of a society that has seen far too many similar tragedies — like Heaven Awot, a young girl raped and murdered in 2020.

But as the days pass, the question remains: Will Liza’s killers ever be brought to justice?

For many Ethiopians, the answer feels heartbreakingly predictable. Despite clear evidence of sexual violence, investigations often stall, perpetrators go unpunished, and grieving families are left with silence from authorities.

Ethiopia’s laws criminalize rape and gender-based violence. Yet in practice, justice is rare.

Police are often untrained in handling sexual assault cases. Evidence collection is weak or nonexistent. Survivors face humiliating questions, disbelief, and sometimes even blame.

Forensic exams are limited to a few hospitals, and in rural areas they’re nearly impossible to access. Survivors who report assaults risk stigma, retaliation, or being ostracized by their own communities.

Liza’s death is a reminder that Ethiopian women are still fighting for the right to feel safe in their own communities.

“Justice for Liza” Must Be More Than a Hashtag

If Ethiopia wants to honor Liza’s memory, justice must move beyond slogans and social media. It must be visible, swift, and systemic. Every delay, every ignored report, every unprosecuted crime deepens the culture of impunity that allows violence to thrive.

Liza’s story should have ended with her graduation, not a funeral. Her name must now stand for change — a demand for safety, dignity, and justice for every Ethiopian woman.

Ethiopia has the opportunity to break the cycle. With strong leadership, community engagement, and courage, the country can rebuild a justice system that protects instead of abandons.But that change will only come if Liza’s death — and the countless others like hers — are not forgotten.

Her voice was silenced. Ours must not be.

#JusticeForLizaDesalegn