This policy brief summarizes key trends in conflict-related sexual violence in 48 conflicts in 33 African countries, encompassing 236 armed-conflict actors, including state armies, militias and rebel groups.
Findings from study area:
- Sexual violence was reported to be perpetrated by a minority of armed-conflict actors
- There was a slight increase over time in the share of actors that perpetrated sexual violence at a massive level
- African state armies were frequently reported as perpetrators
- Sexual violence was often reported when there were relatively few reported killings
- Sexual violence at times continued at a high level in the post-conflict period
Recommendations
- Maintain a focus on the prevention of sexual violence
- Pressure all relevant actors – and especially states – to end their practice of committing sexual violence
- Do not lose sight of conflict actors that are not especially lethal, as such actors may still commit sexual violence
- Increase attention to sexual violence by armed actors in post-conflict settings
