The report, titled “Barriers to Justice: Rape in Africa: laws, practices and access to justice,” highlights the fact that many African countries’ penal codes fail to recognize a wide range of non-consensual sexual acts, including those involving intimidation, coercion, or abuse of power. This narrow definition of rape often results in impunity for perpetrators and leaves survivors without access to justice.
To address this issue, Equality Now recommends that African countries undertake comprehensive legal reforms to ensure that their rape laws align with international standards. This includes expanding the definition of rape to encompass all forms of non-consensual sexual acts and strengthening legal frameworks to support survivors.
The organization also emphasizes the importance of providing comprehensive support services to survivors, including medical care, psychological counseling, and legal aid. By addressing these issues, African countries can take significant steps towards ending impunity for sexual violence and ensuring justice for survivors.
ODL/sf/ac/lb/abj/APA