Faced with the alarming rise in sexual violence against women and girls, the West African Network of Young Women Leaders in Guinea (ROAJELF Guinea) has launched the project "Multi-stakeholder media campaign on rape of minors" to raise awareness of the scale of this phenomenon and encourage the authorities to take action to protect women and girls. With the support of the Feminists in Action project, ROAJELF Guinea has carried out targeted actions to inform, raise awareness, and mobilize the population against rape of minors.
Awareness and Mobilization around Key Messages
The project was rolled out in the six municipalities of the city of Conakry (Ratoma, Matoto, Matam, Dixinn, Kaloum, and Kassa) through an intensive four-month awareness campaign in previously identified markets and schools. The objective was clear: to inform and raise awareness among the population, particularly women and young people, about the reality of rape and their essential role in prevention efforts, notably through reporting and notification to the competent authorities. Strong messages, such as "Rape of minors is a crime punishable by law, let's dare to report it", were developed to fuel the discussions. These messages prompted numerous testimonies, highlighting the crucial needs to break the taboo surrounding the sensitive subject of rape of minors. Among these needs, the guarantee of confidentiality and anonymity, aimed at preventing the victimization of victims within their families and communities, was identified as essential.
In parallel with these efforts, the project team participated in interactive programs on national media (radio and TV) to provide information on the legal framework and penalties associated with rape of minors. This strategy was reinforced by the broadcast of radio and TV spots.
A call for stronger prevention and protection measures
A crucial step in the project was advocacy with policymakers, engaging the Office for the Promotion of Gender, Children, and Morals (OPROGEM), the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Pre-University Education and Literacy. This advocacy was essential in making the voices of women and girls heard and highlighting their concerns. It emphasized the need to improve the prevention of rape of minors, ensure appropriate care for victims, and strengthen measures to combat this crime. Two concrete commitments emerged: the Ministry of Health's commitment to explore possibilities for providing free care to survivors, and the Ministry of Pre-University Education and Literacy's commitment to consider integrating modules on gender-based and sexual violence into training curricula and teaching programs.
