A UNICEF report released on Thursday reveals that over 79 million women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa have faced rape or sexual assault during their childhood.
The report highlights that this region is among the most dangerous in the world for girls.
Globally, around 370 million girls and women have experienced sexual violence, with approximately one in five in sub-Saharan Africa suffering abuse before turning 18. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasized that sexual violence against children is a moral stain on society.
Claudia Cappa, UNICEF’s chief statistician, noted that this new data, presented for the first time, was gathered from national statistics and international surveys conducted between 2010 and 2022. She acknowledged gaps and underreporting but stressed that the figures aim to shed light on the scale of the crisis. Nankali Maksud, a regional child violence specialist based in Nairobi, stated, “It’s terrifying; it represents generations of trauma and the far-reaching impacts of abuse.”
Maksud highlighted that the trauma experienced by survivors significantly affects developmental efforts, particularly in education. While there are pushes to get girls into school, those who have been raped or assaulted often struggle to learn.
Aid agencies have raised concerns about the increased risks for women and girls amid ongoing conflicts, noting that regions experiencing instability, like Sudan, report the highest rates of sexual violence. The report indicates that children in fragile settings are especially vulnerable, with sexual violence, including rape, frequently used as a weapon of war in conflict zones, exacerbating the trauma.
