By Foday Moriba Conteh
As the campaign on the alleged rape of a five-year-old girl in Freetown intensifies, the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Sierra Leone has on Tuesday 23rd June, 2020 in a press statement called on the Government of Sierra Leone to swiftly investigate and conclude all pending cases of violence against women and girls in order for justice to be delivered without delay.
It was stated that the United Nations is shocked and deeply saddened by the horrendous murder and alleged act of rape and torture of a five-year old girl, which was reported in Freetown on the 17th June 2020. Sincere condolences were extended, by the United Nations, to the bereaved family of the young girl, underscoring that the brutal act reminded them that many children and women in Sierra Leone continue to experience acts of rape and violence among their families and in communities.
The United Nations Office in Sierra Leone, therefore, called for the prompt and full investigation of the incident so that the perpetrator(s) could be brought to justice in accordance with the Amended Sexual Offences Act 2019 further highlighting that violence against women and girls is one of the greatest human rights violations.
It was further disclosed that in 2019, the Family Support Unit under the Sierra Leone Police recorded 3,252 cases of sexual penetration and that it is likely that the real figures were higher due to the difficulties women and girls face in reporting cases of violence.
The United Nations commended the efforts exerted by the Government of Sierra Leone in recent months, including the adoption of the male engagement strategy, to prevent sexual and gender-based violence and to support women and girls, who have suffered from such violence.
At the same time, they reminded all Sierra Leoneans that protection of women and girls is an obligation of the entire society and all efforts must be made by all men and women, independent of their roles and positions in society, to protect and respect the rights of women and girls, chiefly the Rights to Dignity and Life.
“The United Nations, therefore, calls on all parts of society – including national and local institutions, local and traditional leaders, and citizens in general – to work together and commit to end all forms of violence against women and girls. The United Nations in Sierra Leone will continue to support all efforts made by the Government, Police (including the Family Support Unit) and Judiciary, among others, to ensure that rights of women and girls are protected and justice prevails,” it was concluded in the Press Statement.
