Gender inequality has been arguably one of the most repeated hot topics of the modern times. While most activism about gender inequality focuses on emancipation and empowerment, there is still work to do around violation of women’s fundamental rights. 

Fundamental rights in this context refer to the right to one’s own body, choice of reproduction plans and sexual activities and pleasure to mention a few. When impinged of any of the above rights, this is called sexual assault. It is reported that one in three women has faced sexual or physical assault, needless to mention, first-hand victims of sexual assault are women.

Sexual assault is rape, consensual rape, attempted rape, sexual harassment, emotional and/or physical assault that can result in long-term, sometimes irreversible impacts to the victim.

Sexual assault is a result of centuries of women’s oppression with roots in social norms and families - how boys and girls are raised. This reality makes it even harder to reverse. Sexual assault goes hand-in-hand with economic imbalance. Women are synonymous with poverty in many cultures.

Rwanda has put forward policies to change this reality and these policies have certainly changed lives. The impact is manifested in Gallup Global Law and Order reports that place Rwanda among the safest countries in the world for women to live in. 

However, it is too early to rejoice. 

Tens of thousands of teenage girls get pregnant every year and the numbers have been on the rise in Rwanda recently. Apart from the heightened impacts and challenges these girls face, this fact is a reflection of inequality and ignorance in regard to sexuality. 

An evident example is a recent debate that caught the public’s attention on whether an under-18 year old girl can access contraceptive services and products without their parents’ consent. In Article 7 of the law, it stipulates that every person who has attained the majority age has the right to decide in relation to human reproductive health issues, the majority age in Rwanda being 18 years of age.

By putting the age at 18, younger adolescents are left out and as it turns out, some are already sexually active. The law in this regard prohibits anyone under the age of 18 to access contraceptives without their parents’ or guardians’ approval. It’s important to note that whatever the circumstances, impregnating an underage girl qualifies as sexual assault.

The problem does not end when a woman is old enough to give consent or access contraceptives. Ignorance of their own rights, poverty and some cultural norms still pull down women.  Women account for only 32 percent of small business owners, according to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda. The number shrinks even more when it comes to medium and large enterprises. 

Impacts of sexual assault are not exclusive to the victim. If a woman is sexually assaulted, her children and the whole community will be affected. When a woman is entrusted with raising the next generation while she is emotionally, financially and sexually unstable, the effects will be passed down and the vicious cycle will continue. 

In addition to policies, laws and initiatives in place to prompt change, there is a need to consistently educate the public about sexual assault and how damaging it is to the society.

While women need to take the lead in driving the change, men have the key. They are on the front in this patriarchal society and the change would be a fantasy if they were not on board. 

The responsibility lies in everyone’s hands though. Rwanda already has the political will, laws and facilities to minimize the damage are already in place. These include Isange One Stop Centres scattered across the country to help victims, counselling and legal services offered to them free of charge, among others. 

Different programs are being run to consistently educate women about their rights and also bring men on board. These include repeated training of key players such as teen mothers and their parents, religious leaders, local leaders and civil society organizations. 

All this, and more to come, to create a more equal and safer society for everyone. 

The writer is the Program Officer- Human rights at Health Development Initiative 

The views expressed in this article are of the writer.