Sexual assault a problem to our continent:The fight against sexual assault

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I can only imagine how it feels for one to have their dignity and virtue torn away from them in the flash of an eye. It is so devastating to individuals who have fallen prey to sexual violence and how it continues to destroy lives all over the world and our continent Africa in particular. It is morally and humanly wrong to forcefully take anything from someone especially something as important and sensitive as their dignity and pride. In Africa, assault from partner is very high.

'Husbands the 'worst perpetrators' of sexual assaults in Africa'
SAMANTHA SPOONER

Sexual assault continues to pose a great threat to young people between the age of 12 - 18yrs in Africa. In most cases, the incidence is not even reported maybe due to shame, threats, emotional torture and the stigma that accompanies this status.
In sub-Saharan Africa 65 million women endure regular violence from their spouse.
South Africa has a high sexual assault ranking from records and amongst the high ranking nations suffering from sexual violence. Even though there has been a decline in the number of rape cases reported in 2016/17 records as compared to the 2015/16 and past records, the numbers is still disturbing.

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Sexual assault rates are very high in most islamic states. In Egypt 99.3% have suffered sexual abuse.(2013).
Other islamic states that gender descripancies and less regards for the rights of the woman also show increased figures of reported sexual assault.

In cameroon my own country, the issue is not different and we will love to see it done away with. That is why everyone in and out of the country is called to participate in one way or the other to completely do away with this problem.

In 2015, rape rate for Cameroon was 1.9 cases per 100,000 population. Though Cameroon rape rate fluctuated substantially in recent years, it tended to increase through 2005 - 2015 period ending at 1.9 cases per 100,000 population in 2015.

Cases per 100,000 population in 2015

Date Value Change, %
2015 1.9 -48.27 %
2014 3.8 -5.54 %
2013 4.0 52.11 %
2012 2.6 -5.43 %
2011 2.8 -1.08 %
2010 2.8 13.88 %
2009 2.5 4.70 %
2007 2.3 -25.00 %
2006 3.1 -4.59 %
2005 3.3 4.14 %
2004 3.1 19.85 %

As of 2018, there has been an increase in the number of rape cases in Cameroon and it has hit a value of 2.4/100 000 population. This is not good at all for the country. To cap it all, no major efforts have been put in place this year to do something to curb this increase. We need to do more if we want to see results. We have to engage more into activities, campaigns, call out for justice to be given victims and to set examples on guilty parties. A lot has to be done if this rape issue must be done away with.

Given below are global rape statistics by country for some burdened countries.

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So from all these figures we can see this is an issue that needs to be addressed with the adoption of strict measures to combat it. Everyone is called to actively participate and support in the fight against sexual assault. Let us make the world a better and safer place.
You can never tell who it might be. The next victim could be a sister, friend or loved one.

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Let's stand up now and say NO TO SEXUAL ASSAULT NOW.

JOIN THE FIGHT