Page 52 - IJPS-10-3

International Journal of

Population Studies

REVIEW ARTICLE
The landscape of physical sexual violence

in Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Nigeria:
A systematic review

1
1
1
Emmanuel O. Amoo * , Joy O. Nwosu , Fred Nwogu , Christian P. Washington ,
1
Henry O. Chukwu , Mercy E. Adebayo , Amos A. Olore , and Tayo O. George 2
1
2
2
1 Demography and Social Statistics Programme, College of Management and Social Sciences,
Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria
2 Department of Sociology, College of Management and Social Sciences, Covenant University, Ota,
Ogun State, Nigeria
Abstract
The present study aimed to determine the trending country-specific common forms
and patterns of sexual violence in Sub-Saharan African countries considering the
multi-component nature of the menace. We systematically reviewed the population-
based studies, obtained from PubMed, Medline, Scopus, and Google Scholar, that dealt
with all-encompassing physical sexual violence in Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, and
Nigeria. The quality and significance of the data obtained were assessed, and similar
*Corresponding author: events were grouped and reported found to have inspired policy recommendations
Emmanuel O. Amoo for non-sexual violence initiatives and respect for sexual and reproductive health
(emma.amoo@covenantuniversity. rights in Sub-Saharan Africa. This systematic review revealed that sexual violence is
edu.ng)
captured as sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual abuse, rape, coercive sex, incest,
Citation: Amoo, E.O., Nwosu, J.O., child sexual abuse, and intimate partner sexual violence. Botswana ranked first in
Nwogu, F., Washington, C.P., th rd
Chukwu, H.O., Adebayo, M.E., et al. worldwide rape statistics, while Nigeria and Kenya ranked 135 and 103 , respectively.
(2024). The landscape of physical Ethiopia’s global rape ranking was not available at the completion of writing this
sexual violence in Botswana, paper, and further statistical proof(s) on these ranks were also not established in
Ethiopia, Kenya, and Nigeria: A this review. The historic record for Botswana on forced sex reads 10.3% while forced
systematic review. International
Journal of Population Studies, marriage for Ethiopia shows 58%. Across the four countries selected, intimate partner
10(3): 46-59. violence ranges between 9.0% and 58.6%. While completed rapes, attempted rapes,
https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.0621 and forced sexual initiation were mentioned in a few studies, the lifetime sexual
Received: April 19, 2023 violence ranges between 45.4% and 56%. In addition, the generic sexual violence was
Accepted: November 19, 2023 between 9.6% and 61.2%. In summation, sexual violence is prevailing at the locations
of study, regardless of age, gender, or community. However, since the actual or
Published Online: May 30, 2024 suspected dominant perpetrators of sexual violence are overrepresented in the male
Copyright: © 2024 Author(s). populations, enlightenment campaigns should be implemented for boys and men
This is an Open-Access article so that they grow more conscious of other gender’s sexual rights in the conduct or
distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution pursuit of their sexual satisfaction and behavior. Effective community engagement
License, permitting distribution, (with parents, workers, academics, and students) should be prioritized by various
and reproduction in any medium, governments and other stakeholders toward the achievement of improved sexual
provided the original work is
properly cited. health, and well-being among the populace.
Publisher’s Note: AccScience
Publishing remains neutral with Keywords: Sexual violence; Rape; Intimate partner sexual violence; Sexual harassment;
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional Sub-Saharan Africa; Systematic review
affiliations.

Volume 10 Issue 3 (2024) 46 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.0621