Sexual violence in Burkina: 63% of women experienced female genital Mutilation on average at the age of 6

Every year, like other countries, Burkina Faso commemorates 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The theme chosen this year at the international level is the theme: “Orange the World: Generation Equality Stands Against Rape”. A theme that challenges more than one to renew their commitment to fight against sexual violence against women. According to the U.N, efforts to prevent and end violence against women at the global, regional and national levels shows that there is widespread impunity on sexual violence and rape. Hence, the objective behind “oranging the world” is to recall the need for a violence-free future.

This type of violence has a destructive impact on the victim. Especially when it’s extended over years. As one of the most widespread human rights violations in the world, violence against women is a reality in Burkina Faso. A few years ago, cases of violence were rarely reported due to social burdens, feelings of shame, impunity, stigmatization and guilty silence. Women are beaten in their homes, assaulted in the street and in professional circles, harassed on social networks.

Faced with this scourge, the land of upright people, Burkina Faso, has undertaken the implementation of a certain number of measures. This is mainly the hardening of the criminal law which condemns for at least three years the perpetrator of a rape. As well as awareness campaigns. Despite these efforts, violence against women remains.

According to the 2016 Social Institution Gender Index (SIGI) report, 8% of women say they have been the subject of obscene advances from someone other than their spouse against 4% of men. In addition, 5% of women reported being touched against 2% of men. Also, two-thirds (2/3) of women in Burkina Faso have been victims of Female Genital Mutilation, or 63% according to the statistics of the Ministry in charge of Women.

More and more voices ​​are being raised to denounce this violence.