Mr President,
It is with deep concern and a sense of urgency that we, the citizens of this country, address you today. Rape and acts of pedophilia, which plague our society, are reaching alarming proportions. These crimes, which destroy lives and threaten the future of our children, require immediate and decisive action from the authorities, at the highest level of the State.
Every day, women, young girls and children fall victims of sexual violence in indifference or silence. These acts are not just physical attacks: they are fundamental violations of human dignity and the most basic rights. The rape followed by the pregnancy of Awa, aged just 9 years old, and very recently the attack followed by the murder of Diary (12 years old) bear witness to a tragic reality: our country is on its knees in the face of these scourges.
Mr. President, in a country that aspires to justice, progress and security for all, it is unacceptable that so many victims continue to suffer in the shadows, often rejected by those around them, sometimes ignored by the institutions that are supposed to protect them. protect. It is time to break the cycle of impunity. We call on you, Mr. President, to ensure that your government takes strong, immediate and visible action. Here are our proposals:
1. Reform of the legal framework: Adopt more severe and appropriate laws to criminalize these acts and guarantee dissuasive penalties. There is an urgent need to reform the family code which contains discriminatory provisions against girls and women. Having ratified the Maputo Protocol, it is time for our laws to be harmonized to authorize medical abortion in cases of rape and incest. These measures must provide for an extension of the limitation periods for sexual offenses, allowing victims to file complaints, including several years after the facts.
2. Establishment of victim protection and support mechanisms: We call for the creation of specialized reception centers, offering psychological, legal and medical care, as well as alert platforms accessible to all.
3. Training and awareness: Law enforcement, judicial personnel and social actors must be trained to understand the scale and seriousness of these crimes, in order to guarantee fair and respectful treatment of victims.
4. A national campaign against sexual violence: It is imperative to educate our citizens on these issues, to break taboos and to mobilize civil society in the fight against these inhumane practices.
Mr. President, History will remember your actions and your decisions in this fight for the innocence of our children and the dignity of our women. Your mandate can become that of a social and moral revolution, one that will end impunity and restore citizens’ trust in the State.
Victims, families and all citizens expect from you not only words, but above all concrete, rapid and decisive actions.
Time is running out, Mr. President. Every day of inaction dooms more lives. The time has come to make this fight a national priority. We believe in your ability to hear this call and act with the firmness and compassion this situation demands.
Respectfully,
Jaly Badiane, human rights activist
