A woman is raped every 4 minutes in Africa

[arjun]

One of the most inhumane acts committed by humans in a few minutes of weakness which leads to a life of misery for the person at the receiving end....

Recent statistics show that in Africa a woman is raped in every 4 minutes... isn't it a shocking statistic?

what necessary steps need to be taken globally to ensure these figures don't continue.... is awarding a life time imprisonment or death sentence to the person who is responsible a right solution?

[ThatGirl]

This is more than a horrible act, it's an act of warfare perpetrated by rebel groups especially, who use sexual violence as a way of spreading pain and fear through a region, and stopping resistance to further attacks.

The emotional horrors that are created by rapists aren't always realized by many, but any woman who has faced sexual assault, myself included, can attest to the horrible psychological damage it does, and the life lasting effect to herself, and those around her.

I agree that something should be done to stop this. But what can it be? There are so many problems in Africa, and to stop the rapes, one would have to stop the rebel groups currently tearing the country apart. Which is easier said then done, especially with the societal implications of repeated acts like this as they pass through the generations.

Even if the rapes stopped today, it would be decades before they could begin to get past it.

[Buah]

Originally Posted by ThatGirl

This is more than a horrible act, it's an act of warfare perpetrated by rebel groups especially, who use sexual violence as a way of spreading pain and fear through a region, and stopping resistance to further attacks.

The emotional horrors that are created by rapists aren't always realized by many, but any woman who has faced sexual assault, myself included, can attest to the horrible psychological damage it does, and the life lasting effect to herself, and those around her.

I agree that something should be done to stop this. But what can it be? There are so many problems in Africa, and to stop the rapes, one would have to stop the rebel groups currently tearing the country apart. Which is easier said then done, especially with the societal implications of repeated acts like this as they pass through the generations.

Even if the rapes stopped today, it would be decades before they could begin to get past it.

you are right but as I said earlier on, sometimes these people are caught in the act but we still spend billions of dollars feeding them in their miserable prison cells. Why not eliminate these people caught in the act so that the government can spend these monies on theirfeeding on something meaningful. A rapist is nothing better than a dead meat. Eliminate (capital punishment) those caught in the act and we shall live in peace

[Ekechukwu]

I learnt that in Nigeria alone the rate is 1 woman in every 15 minutes.. A similar rate in India, 1 woman/girl in every 8 minutes..That sounds crazy but that is what is going on right now in Nigeria, In India and other parts of parts of the world.

[ichkoguy]

I feel like the poor conditions in the African countries have led to this. Most of the African countries lack in education and are poor. Basic amenities must be fulfilled. The gap between the rich and the poor is huge. The governments must take proper steps and must provide security for all its citizens. It should be the first and foremost duty of the politicians.

[0099]

well all men out there i just wanna ask one simple question, is it really true that men who commit such a hideous crime on women, who most of men consider to be a weaker sex, just to show their strength and superiority over them, just to show that they can ruin a lady just because a biological mistake made by God by making their muscles a bit stronger than those of women? don't you thing that those alike you who have ever shown such a demonstration of their good for nothing strength over a woman are as good as a strong muscle inflicted with gangrene. don't you think that they are weak enough to be called cowards....

[BlueSword]

That is such a shocking report. And the African government is not doing anything against it? I hope they are already aware of it, since we too are now aware of it. They need to provide immediate sanctions and penalties to this crime. But, I think, before they can do that they need to know the value their women. This report is really disheartening, I just can't imagine a woman continually being raped and always having fear of being raped again.

[r1superman]

That is just utterly disgusting. Really I mean what has our world come too. Maybe that is one of the cause HIV and AIDS are passed so frequently there
. They need to take harsher legal action on these people!

[Ziveeman]

This is shocking and depressing. The African government really needs to step up and begin cracking down on these horrible people. It depresses me to see the world in such a state...where the government does nothing to prevent these hideous crimes. Hopefully other counties would be able to contribute funding to help stop this, but the African governments really need to do their share first.

[ZCY3270]

Originally Posted by r1superman

That is just utterly disgusting. Really I mean what has our world come too. Maybe that is one of the cause HIV and AIDS are passed so frequently there
. They need to take harsher legal action on these people!

Only in civilization world those weak like woman and children are under the protection of law. Africa, till today is far from that. People live there need education and order, or else nothing will change.

[mcmutt]

Rape is an act that not only has a physical act but an emotional act as well which can ruin anyone's life. Rape normally isn't an act of please but of power over another.

[cena_john]

you're absolutely right arjun. Crimes such as these are crimes against humanity. The lawmakers have to get their acts together and catch the culprits and give them capital punishment. If stringent actions are not taken against the traitors of the society then this heinous crime can't be stopped. Also women should be aware of whom they need to meet and when

[beatrix]

Once on Oprah there was a women president of an African country (Someone kindly remind me her name) and she mentioned that until her reign, rape wasn't even illegal. The crimes were brushed off saying 'boys will be boys'. I can only imagine and sympathize with women of such a country. I am glad that Africa is nearing a change with such leadership as that president.

[Gloria]

Originally Posted by beatrix

Once on Oprah there was a women president of an African country (Someone kindly remind me her name) and she mentioned that until her reign, rape wasn't even illegal. The crimes were brushed off saying 'boys will be boys'. I can only imagine and sympathize with women of such a country. I am glad that Africa is nearing a change with such leadership as that president.

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was the first elected female president in Africa and she is the current president of Liberia. She took office on January 16, 2006.

[William]

Originally Posted by arjun

One of the most inhumane acts committed by human itself in a few minutes of weakness which leads to a life of misery for the person at the receiving end....

Recent statistics show that in Africa a woman is raped in every 4 minutes... isn't it a shocking statistic?

what necessary steps need to be taken globally to ensure these figures don't continue.... is awarding a life time imprisonment or death sentence to the person who is responsible a right solution?

I do believe executing them would not so much help stop it, but at least slow it down.

I guess the way I see it is, although it's harsh, to start killing rapists over there and possibly start setting an example for others.

Although harsh, it's one of the only options I really see them having left..

[Ami69]

this is really a sad situation but the major problem hear is that, the government officials who are supposed to be enforcing the law are the once abusing the law the more and hence there is little we can do. If you happen to travel to Africa once, you will understand what I am trying to say here. The government officials and those in the higher positions are the once raping innocent girls and covering up with power.

Four minutes is too far. may be this statistics is for matured women alone but what about the children as young as six years old who live by the streets? these children are being raped every second. If you have ever been to Lagos or Ouagadougou, you will understand what I am saying. The 4 minutes just represents those reported cases but what about the unreported cases? Paying a six year old kid and having sex with her is more than just a rape.

I read an article a few days ago and according to that article, a woman is raped every two minutes in Africa with the highest rate of rape cases occurring in South Africa. As you said, this is just an estimate and the rate could be worse. In many cases the rape victims do not report to the higher authorities with the fear that it might ruin their chances of getting married and may be ruin their entire life once it gets to the general public.

[Lama!]

I've read that every 2 minutes a woman is raped in the US. What if it is your daughter, your sister or even your mother. I think Death penalty is not enough. It's too quick. People who rape are miserable and should be locked up their whole life!!

[squintoo]

Oh my god, this is a shocking report.. Thats a disaster in the world and for the humanity, Guys we really need to do something about this.. i know one person can't change the world but it has to start somewhere so lets start the movement.. we need to be harsh on this..

Women are the most beautiful things on the earth, more beautiful than the rose or the sunset

We exist in the world because of them..

Lets save them from this

Originally Posted by squintoo

Oh my god, this is a shocking report.. Thats a disaster in the world and for the humanity, Guys we really need to do something about this.. i know one person can't change the world but it has to start somewhere so lets start the movement.. we need to be harsh on this..

Women are the most beautiful things on the earth, more beautiful than the rose or the sunset

We exist in the world because of them..

Lets save them from this

this is really shocking but I think the situation is even worse. I remember I read an article a few days ago and in the article the rape situation in Africa is even worse. It is around I women or girl child in every 2 minutes or so.

[zapakpro]

wtf is the world heading to?? such terrrible animals around us everywhere

[penelope]

this is a very sad news to hear. If only I could help this women
being abuse every 4 minutes. I think their government should investigate
into this matter and protect women from being abuse. I know this is not an easy job but we can start from creating an awareness to the people
for them to be cautious.

[beelzebul]

There is basically a civil war going on there and rape is used as a way to instill terror into villages and gain allegiance to certain warlords.
The women are violantly raped in front of the men of the village and it destroys and terrorizes both the women and the men.

[bodil4o]

This is horrible...but I cant believe this thing..
It's too unreal for me..
One women in every four minutes...that mean that all african woman are raped at least four or five times
If this thing is true it is really bad
In Africa the people are really non-educated ... so maybe this is why this thing is happening

It is not as if these girls are been raped just like that. It is part of their barbaric tradition. I learnt in certain parts of Africa, a girl has no right to refuse a man, sex which to me is just insanity with no moral background. When a girl refuses a man to have sex with, these barbaric traditions encourage men to rape these girls which is just stupid.

[Dixyboy]

A woman cannot refuse sex? What the hell kind of tradition is that? They need to change that tradition. I can't imagine being a female and living there. It must be a friggin nightmare. If it were up to me I would put these men behind bars for the rest of their life. It can't possibly be fair. How can these women even defend themselves.

[Kofi]

Originally Posted by Dixyboy

A woman cannot refuse sex? What the hell kind of tradition is that? They need to change that tradition. I can't imagine being a female and living there. It must be a friggin nightmare. If it were up to me I would put these men behind bars for the rest of their life. It can't possibly be fair. How can these women even defend themselves.

that is right! this is just a barbaric tradition but I can tell you that there are even worse things going on in Africa. I am an African and I talk from esperience. Some of these so-called traditions are non-sense but these people are not ready to accept or change these barbaric traditions. Some of them are ready to die for these barbaric traditions. In most cases as in this one, women and children suffer the most because they normally form the weaker part of the society. Go to the cities and the large towns in Africa and you will never find such barbaric traditions. Go to the villages and you will see a different world altogether.

[loreily]

in my opinion, i think its not only the government that should take an immediate action about this problem but also the society. like others have said that some people are aware of it or some might have witnessed it just kept quiet and do nothing but accept this reality. isn't it the responsibility of every person to be aware of anything happening around and take actions for what he/she is seeing? how can africa be free from poverty if they can't even help themselves. as they have said "changes start from from within you".

if every person in africa help each other, thus, poverty will be less.

[DaughterUK]

I believe that the answer to this problem lies in better education for the people, and longer jail terms for the rapists. The reason the rapists are doing it is because they can, they would think twice if they actually knew what damage rape causes and knew that it would result in a long term in prison.

One every four minutes... a shocking and disturbing statistic indeed.

DaughterUK