Over 79 million girls in sub-Saharan Africa raped, sexually assaulted: UN

Source: UNICEF report finds more than 370 million girls worldwide have faced sexual violence before the age of 18.

A child attends a protest against the rape of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua, near Jammu and a teenager in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh state, in New Delhi, India, April 15, 2018. REUTERS/Cathal McNaughton — A child attends a protest in New Delhi, India, against the rape of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua, near Jammu and a teenager in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh state [File: Cathal McNaughton/Reuters]

Published On 10 Oct 202410 Oct 2024

The United Nations children’s agency says one in eight girls and young women across the world have endured rape and sexual violence, with the highest number of victims recorded in sub-Saharan Africa.

UNICEF published its first-ever global estimate on sexual violence against children, revealing that 79 million girls – one in five – in sub-Saharan countries hit by conflict and insecurity had experienced sexual assault or rape before turning 18.