The battle against sexual harassment and abuse may be gaining ground around the world. Still, that fight is losing its grip in Africa as cases of sexual violence keep making the news and on social media platforms. A lot of factors contribute to this but the problem now is that it has become so rampant that it is, unfortunately, becoming too ‘normal’.
Based on the detailed report gotten from the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) on Sexual Violence in Six African Countries of Kenya, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Nigeria, and Egypt highlights the sexual violence and assault meted against young ladies (and girls), one cannot help but wonder if the fight against these vice actually exists at all. From the report, you can clearly see a society that enables this violence. From family, and close friends to even state actors like the police, military and politicians.
Aside from that, South Africa is another ground where the cases of sexual violence have been through the roof. With its prevalent cases of sexual violence at over 30% increase from 2021, it is no secret that this contributes to the high cases of STDs leading to the increase of cases of people living with HIV/AIDS. What is actually baffling but like I said weirdly obtainable is the fact that most of these cases occur with family members. Take, for instance, a Facebook User who is only 14 years old and came out to state that her father raped her. Unfortunately, this is nothing compared to the endless list of women, ladies and young girls who have found themselves in such a situation.
Regrettably, while local assistance through the applicable laws that punish these offenders and the social movements organized to curb the prevalence of this problem continues, there is little effort from foreign governments with vested interests in the continent. Aside from the United Nations and other non-African NGOs, foreign governments would rather focus on establishing military bases and fostering their political interests, than looking into the plight of millions of young girls who could fall victim to sexual harassment, abuse or violence.
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