Africa: Who's to blame for brutality towards women, girls, children and homosexuals?
Men proclaim to be the underdogs, the victims of injustices yet are the majority of leadership & government roles
Having had a lengthy conversation with a gay man, who was looking to leave the United States for a new life in another country. He had been having issues because many of the places people were suggesting weren't gay friendly. Not only were they not gay friendly but they had a host of other issues with peace for people who looked different.
Skin color and sexuality, not only that but human rights being fairly unequally applied to all those living within those perspective countries.
Then the Ghana government wants to start a new law to punish anyone they "THINK" might be gay. If they accuse you of being gay you have no way to prove them wrong. Or they'll beat you so badly that many people confess to stop the beatings.
The anti-gay bill in Ghana goes as far as punishing people who don't wear their gender specific clothing. Meaning under Ghana law because I am too fat and wear men's shirts I can be jailed. They also want to outlaw sex toys and vibrators as well.
In Kenya an LGTBQ activist and fashion designer was brutally murdered, some Kenyans took to social media to applaud his death. Some saying he got what he deserved. Kenyans and Ugandans even praising God for his death.
Witch-hunts and ritual child abuse are a stain on Africa. We must confront them
Joan Nyanyuki (from Jun 2022)
As Africa emerges blinking into the post-pandemic sunlight, children across the continent might hope for a brighter future. Lockdowns drove a surge in violence against children – especially girls – but surely life can now start to improve.
Sadly not. No sooner does Covid begin to recede than we hear news of another appalling failure to protect the rights and wellbeing of African children. It scarcely seems credible that the horror of witchcraft accusations and ritual abuse against girls and boys across the continent is emerging again in 2022.
I have no wish to criticise beliefs that underpin traditional African healing or religious practices. Witchcraft is deeply rooted in many cultures and communities in sub-Saharan Africa, and is a powerful influence in the lives of millions. In some countries, witchcraft and associated traditional beliefs are interlinked and deeply valued. But when those beliefs and values spill over into unspeakable physical and psychological violence against children, we have to speak out.
Source: The Guardian June 2022
While having our conversation he still wants to leave the US but he ruled out all countries in Africa. He had 2 on his list. Botswana being one of them, however he's reading of media outlets stories from most African countries he found that they hands on brutality was too high in many countries.
Showing highlights of violence towards women, girls and children, then who seems to be the issue?
NEW DATA SHOWS VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN IS RISING ACROSS THE AFRICAN CONTINENT (NOTE: from July 2021)
Startling new evidence shows that violence against children is increasing throughout Africa. From Sierra Leone to South Africa, the African Partnership to End Violence against Children (APEVAC) found that rates of physical, sexual and psychological violence has grown, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing humanitarian emergencies.
“Of all the unspeakable damages suffered by our children, violence is surely the worst, simply because it is entirely avoidable, yet leaves lasting scars,” said Mrs Graça Machel, Chair of the African Child Policy Forum (ACPF) International Board of Trustees. “We cannot accept such suffering at any level of African society, as its devastating impacts on our children’s dignity, physical and mental wellbeing continue to rob them of their future.”
Impact of Sexual Abuse and Violence on African Women’s Mental Health
Emotional, sexual and physical abuse by intimate partners increases African women’s susceptibility with regard to mental health issues. Indeed, women who experience these forms of abuse show depressive symptoms, post-traumatic stress disorder and thoughts of suicide. In addition, girls who suffer sexual and physical abuse in the early stages of their lives seem to be more likely to engage with drug and alcohol abuse, are less sensitive to violent practices and have lower school attendance and performance. Thus, it is clear that the experience of emotional, sexual and physical abuse influences the life of women whose living conditions worsen as a result of the trauma.
Almost one in two African women has experienced violence at some point during her life. But perpetrators silence their victims by saying the woman is to blame — or that she provoked the abuse. How can this change?
According to a 2020 study , about 44% of African women experience gender-based violence. The global average is about 30%, according to UN figures. GBV includes many types of abuse — from physical, sexual and emotional violence to female genital mutilation and human trafficking.
Study number are from 2020 but the article was written in 08/26/2022August 26, 2022 by Silja Fröhlich
©️TB Obwoge 2023 All Rights Reserved
About the Creator
IwriteMywrongs
I'm the president of a nonprofit. I've lived in 3 countries, I love to travel, take photos and help children and women around the world! One day I pray an end to Child Marriages, Rape and a start to equal Education for ALL children 🙏🏽
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