Sierra Leone’s President Declares ‘Rape Scourge’ a National Emergency, Reuters Reports

By Cooper Inveen

FREETOWN – The horrific rape of a young girl by her uncle in Sierra Leone has sparked a movement that on Thursday led President Julius Maada Bio to declare the widespread occurrence of sexual violence a national emergency.

The five-year-old girl, whose name is withheld for her protection, has been left paralyzed from the waist down since the 28-year-old relative assaulted her a year ago, severely injuring her spine.

"I want justice for what has happened," her grandmother said, sitting beside her granddaughter in a Freetown medical clinic. "The man who did this ruined her life and deserves to spend the rest of his days in prison."

This assault is not an isolated case; many instances of sexual violence remain unpunished in Sierra Leone. Previously, the maximum penalty for sexually motivated crimes was 15 years, and few cases resulted in successful prosecutions.

After months of advocacy from activists, the president announced a national emergency, committing to life sentences for anyone convicted of sexual offenses against minors.

"Some families still perpetuate a culture of silence and indifference toward sexual violence, which only deepens the trauma for victims," Bio stated during a gathering at the State House. "As a nation, we must confront and combat this crisis."

Police reports indicate that instances of sexual and gender-based violence nearly doubled last year, surpassing 8,500 cases, with a third involving minors. Activists, including First Lady Fatima Bio, assert that the actual number is likely much higher since many cases go unreported.

In Sierra Leone, discussions around gender-based violence have historically been taboo. The Parliament only enacted its first gender equality laws in 12 years ago, following pressure from women’s rights groups. However, the implementation of these laws has been sluggish, compounded by law enforcement agencies struggling with limited resources, fostering a climate of impunity.

In December, the First Lady led a demonstration in the capital to raise awareness on this pressing issue, subsequently launching the "Hands Off Our Girls" campaign to increase awareness about violence against girls across West Africa.

The president’s declaration of a national emergency is regarded as a positive step, but activists like Fatmata Sorie stress that more work is needed. "We must also address how services for survivors are not easily accessible, particularly for the impoverished," said Sorie, the president of a legal organization that offers pro bono services to vulnerable women and girls.

"We’ve made significant progress today, but this is a profoundly complex issue that will require ongoing and intricate solutions," she added.