Page 55 - IJPS-10-3

International Journal of
Population Studies Physical sexual violence in Sub-Saharan Africa

were excluded from the study. Notwithstanding, studies four countries selected (i.e., Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya,
were selected based on the relevance of the title, the abstract, and Nigeria) were removed. In addition, other studies that
and the full text. Selected literature are resources that could were not based on Sub-Saharan Africa were screened out.
help in highlighting the types and prevalence of sexual In the end, 64 full-text papers were obtained and reviewed.
violence to propel practical suggestions for curbing sexual
violence. This could enhance sustainable improvement in 3.2. Country-by-country findings
sexual health and well-being of the people. Figure 1 shows The review revealed different statistics on the subject across
the article screening and selection procedures. the four countries of study in Sub-Saharan Africa. The
statistics indicated that the prevalence of the menace, and
2.3. Data analysis the general contents provided highlights of its dimensions.
The data analysis followed a simple model in limiting Furthermore, a cross-sectional study on associated factors of
our scope to only a systematic review that presents with violence against sexual partner and gender minorities across
descriptive rate and ratio statistics. This is done without other nine (9) African countries showed that out of 3798
subjecting the data obtained to meta-analysis (Amoo respondents, 18% experienced forced marriage, 56% had
et al., 2020). The descriptive data (rates and ratios) lifetime physical or sexual violence, and 29% experienced the
presented could enhance the understanding of individuals, same in the year preceding the survey (Müller et al., 2021).
community leaders, and other stakeholders who may not
be statistically literate (Amoo et al., 2020). 3.2.1. Botswana experience
Notwithstanding the effort of Botswana government in
3. Results legislating for the protection of victims of sexual violence
3.1. Search results and for setting punitive measures against the perpetrators,
Botswana still remains one of the countries with the highest
Our search returned 255 publications. However, after rate of rape cases in the world (Wisevoter, 2023). A record
screening the titles and abstracts for relevance, studies showed that worldwide official cases of rape (measured
employing qualitative methods and those published pre- in 100,000) range from 0.2 (in Azerbaijan) to 92.2 in
SDGs were excluded. A group of 108 studies was also Botswana (Adabembe, 2022). While several organizations,
excluded because they did not provide prevalence statistics, including the WAR (Women Against Rape, a human rights
population figures, or relevant estimates on any of the organization), have relentlessly worked on reducing sexual
keywords used. Other papers that are not specific to the
violence, the reported historic prevalence rate of forced
sex among women in Botswana stands at 10.3% (Jahanfar
N = 213 N = 42
(Records identified through (Additional records et al., 2022). There is also a high prevalence of human
database searching) identified through immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection rates including
other sources)
unintended pregnancies, especially among adolescents
(Barchi et al., 2022). This is happening in Botswana
despite the national mandate for girls and women to access
N = 255 comprehensive sexuality education, youth-friendly health
Total records identified
services, and sexual and reproductive health information
(Barchi et al., 2022). In a study where IPV and alcohol
consumption are associated with major depressive
N = 108 excluded 41 excluded disorders in Northwestern Botswana, 37% out of 469
(on the basis of titles and
(Based on the screening abstracts screening for relevance) women in the study reported recent physical IPV (Barchi
criteria)
et al., 2021). Furthermore, out of the 3516 disabled young
42 excluded women (aged 15 – 29) that were included in one Botswana
13 No clear initiative study, 21% have experienced IPSV and 8% with forced sex
4 Gender beyond the spectrum (Cockcroft et al., 2018).
of male and female
16 Information related to countries A retrospective survey based on Botswana data from
other than countries under study
9 Non-human-based studies 2013 – 2016 highlighted the prevalence of incest and
defilement of children (under 16 years), though the study
N = 64 acknowledged a reduction in child defilement between
(Studies reviewed) 2013 and 2014 and a slight increase between 2014 and
Figure 1. Flowchart depicting the article screening and selection 2015 (Ramabu, 2020). Cases of rape (as reported) ranges
procedures from 3.8% to 4.5% among children aged 10 years and

Volume 10 Issue 3 (2024) 49 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.0621