More than 79 million women and girls across sub-Saharan Africa have experienced rape or sexual assault during childhood, according to a report by UNICEF released on Thursday. UNICEF estimates that worldwide, around 370 million girls and women have endured sexual violence, with approximately one in five in sub-Saharan Africa suffering abuse before the age of 18. “Sexual violence against children is a stain on our moral conscience,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. Regions facing conflict and insecurity, such as Sudan, see the highest rates of sexual violence. “Children in fragile settings are especially vulnerable to sexual violence,” added Russell.

Source: Nigerian Tribune October 10, 2024 09:44 UTC