Sexually molesting young girls is really a ubiquitous phenomenon and Africa is at the zenith of this kind of heinous crime.
Culprits who are accused of devouring young girls are generally set free by the judicial system itself, as was the heart-rending case of minor Kenia. Her uncle sodomized her in 2003, though her parents filed a case against him but what was the result? Mr. Betombo, (the perpetrator) is still living a life of a free man.
Unfortunately, such stories are distressingly familiar among sub-Saharan Africa’s children.
Studies have shown that children who witness sexual abuse may experience emotional and behavioral problems such as depression, aggression, disobedience, nightmares, physical health complaints and poor school performance.
Statistically:
1. 2,000 child rape victims have died of AIDS since 1998
2. 2004 to 2005 more than 22,000 cases of child rape have been reported
3. Namibia, more than one in five women reported being sexually abused before the age 15
4. 2006, half of Malawian schoolgirls asserted that they have been sexually molested by their teachers or classmates
5. 2006, 45 % of the children reported having been the target of sexual abuse
6. Zimbabwe, 4146 cases of sexual abuse against children have been reported
7. Gambia, 63 children aged between 12 and 18 have been trafficked into the country for use as ’sex slaves’ and unpaid domestic servants
8. Uganda, 31% of schools girls have been molested by their teachers
9. Eastern Africa, 9 out of 10 girls have suffered physical or psychological abuse, including rape at the hands of relatives
Possible reasons:
1. Poverty
2. A legacy of violence
3. Oppression among societies
4. Orthodox traditions and customs
5. Gender inequality
6. Negligibly less or no specialized courts or provision for medical treatments
7. High illiteracy rates
8. Early and forced marriages
9. Unemployment
10. Low status of women in the society
11. Civil conflict
12. Criminal Networks and Trafficking
13. Child Pornography
14. The ‘virgin myth‘, meaning, ‘the idea that having sex with a virgin cleanses you of AIDS’ is a motivating factor of child rape in Africa
Present state of affairs:
Although the investigation stations have been set up but medical and legal authorities say the vast majority of families still hew to a tradition of accepting payment from perpetrators. The few who press charges are plunged into a criminal justice process that could be more frustrating.
Moreover, the children are been stigmatized if they speak out against their abusers.
Violence against girls in Southern African schools is steadily rising, but not enough is being done to prevent and censure abuse in educational institutions.
Children are vulnerable to AIDS and victimized by their elders.
United Nations peacekeepers are also responsible in escalating the predicament.
Is there any solution?
Provision for medical treatment must be initiated where the victims could get an effective cure. Certain impartial courts should be established where victims may get the required justice and sentence to the offender.
According to Joan van Niekerk, national coordinator of Childline, which runs South Africa’s child crisis hot lines, children regularly complain that coping with the criminal justice system, is worse than the sexual abuse itself. Thus, the system of criminal justice must be framed in an unprejudiced manner. Also it should provide comforting atmosphere where the child victim can openly discuss their problems and express their helplessness.
Support and protection must also be bestowed upon people who openly speak out against all forms of violence within and outside the homes and raise community awareness of gender violence in communities.
Africa doesn’t really stand a chance against other continents who take pride in ensuring that their children enjoy the best years of their childhood and are groomed into becoming responsible leaders and citizens. What sorts of future leaders and citizens are they bringing up?
