Scandal in Africa: Tens of thousands of girls victims of sexual violence!
Scandal in Africa: Tens of thousands of girls victims of sexual violence!
The alarming situation of sexual violence against children and adolescents in conflict areas has accepted worrying proportions in recent months. According to a current report by the Kleine Zeitung were raped every half hour during the most intensive fighting phase in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In comparison, Global data from Unicef show that every eighth girl worldwide has experienced rape or sexual abuse worldwide, which corresponds to 370 million affected girls.
The cruel reality shows that girls between the ages of 14 and 17 are particularly at risk. These attacks are not only locally, but also affect many regions that are shaped by war and crises. According to Unicef, every fourth girl suffers sexual violence in conflicts. The physical and psychological stress of these acts leads to deep and long -lasting trauma among the victims, which often do not receive adequate medical care.
increase in sexual violence
In January and February 2025, 10,000 cases of rape and other forms of sexual violence were reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Shockingly, up to 45 percent of these cases affect minors. A 13-year-old girl became pregnant after rape and had to have a caesarean section carried out for a normal birth due to the insufficientness of her body. In the hospital, the girl said that she didn't know how she should be a mother. Such personal fates are only the tip of the iceberg.
The existing humanitarian crisis is, among others. exacerbated by numerous countries by cutting humanitarian aid. This significantly affects support for survivors, which often do not receive medical treatment that you need to protect yourself against potential HIV attachments. According to Elder, a rapporteur on site, the affected girls and women suffer unimaginable agony and have no access to basic medical care.
global context and outlook
The data from Unicef from an extensive survey show that sexual violence against girls is widespread on all continents and in all cultures. The current situation is reinforced by numerous factors, including gender inequality and the stigmatization of the victims. Unicef describes the current situation as "eyesore on our moral conscience". The number of children growing up in conflict areas or who were sold due to violence and war has almost doubled since the 1990s.
By the end of 2023, around 47.2 million children were driven out due to conflicts and violence, and more than 473 million children live in conflict -based regions. These statements are from the DetailsOrt Demokratische Republik Kongo Quellen