Eritrea is located in the Horn of Africa and is bordered on the northeast and east by the Red Sea, on the west and northwest by Sudan, on the south by Ethiopia, and on the southeast by Djibouti.

Eritrea was an Italian Colony from 1889-1941. During World War II Eritrea became an important center for British and American operations in the region. Freed from the Italians during World War II, it was relinquished by the British and the United Nations to join a loose federation with its southern neighbor, Ethiopia. The federation resolution ignored Eritrea's desire for independence but guaranteed them some democratic rights and autonomy.

An armed struggle for independence began in 1961 after years of peaceful protest against Ethiopian violations of Eritrean democratic rights and autonomy produced no improvement in a deteriorating situation. In early 1962 the Eritrean parliament was dissolved and Eritrea was officially annexed by Emperor Haile Sellassie. This final action prompted a thirty-year-long independence war for self-determination against the Ethiopian rule.

During the 30 year independence war, Eritrean women played a very prominent role in helping not only secure the independence of Eritrean but also securing legal and social rights for women as well.

Their participation and sacrifices forced their fellow freedom fighters as well as the civilian population at large, to accept them on equal footing with men. Because of their courage and sacrifice, they helped secure legal and social reforms which are in place today and will allow future generation of Eritrean women to be free from the cultural and social constraints that they faced and fought against.

Women fought alongside the men, making up 30 percent of the Eritrean People Liberation Front. During the course of the 30 year independence war, 70,000 freedom fighters died in battle and 17,000 became disabled; several thousand civilians died from starvation and countless fled the nation to escape from the war. The price paid for independence has affected every almost Eritrean family. When I was filming my documentary and visited my own family members and friends, there was not a house that did not have a plaque on the wall dedicated to a family member who took part in the struggle and made the ultimate sacrifice.

The independence war ended on May 24th, 1991, the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) defeated the Ethiopian army and entered Asmara, the capital of Eritrea. After thirty long and difficult years of armed struggle to gain our independence, this was a truly joyous occasion for all Eritrean everywhere. By defeating the largest African army in Sub-Sahara, they not only secured their independence but they also helped liberate Ethiopia from the Soviet-backed Dergue (Menguistu Hailemariam) regime. In the same year, the EPLF established Eritrea as a "de facto" independent state and appointed a provisional government.

In April 1993,in an internationally monitored referendum, the Eritrean people were given the opportunity to either vote for independence or for a federation with Ethiopia....the results were not surprising...with over 98.5% of registered voters turning out 99.8% said "yes" for independence. Eritrea became a sovereign state-the youngest independent state in Africa-on May 22, 1993.

The nation of Eritrea is indebted to these brave women [and men] so I hope that by viewing the documentary you will understand just how amazing these women are. I hope that you will feel as proud as I am of them not just as Eritrean women but as women in general who overcame such unimaginable obstacles and also as a tribute to what the human spirit is capable of overcoming and achieving.

Top Section