March 29, 2024

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Rwanda: The majority of under-18 victims of sexual violence found in primary schools

By Kanamugire Emmanuel

The findings from a survey on the status of sexual reproductive health rights and provision of services to under-18 female victims of sexual violence at 7 Isange One Stop Centres (IOSC) in Rwanda, showed that 50% are found in primary schools.

The survey was commissioned by Oxfam Rwanda in collaboration with Kacyiru Hospital and Rwanda Interfaith Council on Health (RICH) from January 2018 to December 2018 for 1951 victims of sexual and gender based violence.

The presentation of findings took place on January 20, 2020 in Kigali in a meeting attended by government officials, international and local NGOs, Religious Leaders and other stakeholders.

The findings show that most(67.95%) of under-18 female victims of sexual violence were aged 10-17 years, 19.41% were aged 5-9 year while under 5-yaer-old victims represent 13%. The majority (50.8%) of the victims were in primary schools.

Over 33% of rapes took place in the victim’s home, 28% occurred in perpetrator’s residence while 14.3% were raped in the bush.

Among the victims 24.4% got pregnant and 68.8% dropped out school while 6.1% of the victims have been involved in prostitution. 5.8% and 4.2% respectively presented depression and anxiety while 2.4% had experienced suicidal thoughts.

Other consequences were related to sexual transmitted infections: 6% with STI, 1.6% with HIV and 0.5% with Hepatitis C.

The study findings also showed that 81.9% of perpetrators are known by the victims: neighbours (51.7%), friends (23.2%), a family member (8.6%), and strangers (16.2%). However only 49.7% of perpetrators were arrested; 49.2% have been taken to court with 35.3% going to jail.

Factors associated with perpetrators committing rape include alcohol consumption (42%), drug abuse (12%), and incident of mental health (7.5%). On the other hand, risk factors associated with the victims include low socioeconomic status and poor parental supervision among others.

While commenting on the study findings, the Rwanda’s Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Solina Nyirahabimana said “Sexual violence is alarming and needs new approaches to end it”.

She called upon everyone to play role through positive parenting, follow up of different initiatives aiming to ending violence.

“We need the contribution of public institutions, private sector, religious communities and parents in creating plans to end gender based violence.  Our children have to grow in a beneficial environment to become important people to their families, society and the country in general.”

The Chairperson of the RICH Board of Directors, Archbishop Antoine Kambanda, said he expects positive results from different key players combining efforts to fighting GBV.

“As religious leaders, we meet the victims who need comfort and advice. We used to help them through counselling or other means but we realised it’s important to join other sectors such as the justice, police, Migeprof, Isange One Stop Centre to end gender based violence.” He said.

Oxfam Rwanda received funds from the Scottish Government to implement a four year project entitled “claiming sexual and reproductive health rights in Rwanda”. The project is implemented by Rwanda Interfaith Council on Health (RICH) and addresses the gaps related to attitudinal change, institutional capacity building and empowerment of women and girls to ensure that they enjoy equal rights and live free from discrimination and violence by 2022.

The survey on the status of sexual and reproductive health rights and provision of services to under-18 female victims of sexual violence was conducted in IOSC Kacyiru Hospital, IOSC Remera-Rukoma, IOSC Kabgayi, IOSC Gitwe, IOSC Kabutare, IOSC Gisenyi and IOSC Shyira.

The Chairperson of RICH Board of Directors,Archbishop Kambanda Antoine

 

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