In some parts of Ethiopia, the caste system makes marriage between people of different origins difficult. Those considered “lower castes” are often confronted with death threats.
“I was very happy when I arrived in Jigjiga, I was hoping that our life would be easier in the city, we got housing, but some people now want us out of the house.” says Hawa Abdulkadir married to a man of a different caste.
Last year, a Somali man was burned alive in Mogadishu after marrying a “superior caste” woman.
Last April, the former Somali regional administration, which wanted to limit discrimination based on caste membership, organized a mass marriage for 28 couples.
The new Somali regional government has denied any discrimination against inter-caste couples.
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