Burkina Faso: Women lawyers bemoan violence against women
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - The Association of Women Lawyers of Burkina Faso (AFJ/B) said it was appalled by recent violence against women in the country.
In a statement, Cécile Thiombiano/Yougbaré, the association's Secretary-General, stressed that in recent months, violence against women and girls has been on the rise in Burkina Faso, as evidenced by cases reported in the media and social networks.
It said in October 2019, the Sidwaya newspaper reported the rape cases of two girls, aged 10 and 15 years, respectively.
The Ministry for Women, National Solidarity, the Family and Humanitarian Action issued a press release which said that there were even cases of girls, aged 3, 5, and 8 years, raped in the Boucle du Mouhoun region and the death of the youngest of them.
It also reported the machete attack on a 17-year-old girl.
And in the month of July 2020, the Canal + channel showed a documentary that shocked the public - about a young girl victim of incest forced by her family to abandon the baby which resulted from a rape.
"And we do not forget the violence perpetrated against women, especially the elderly, who are accused of witchcraft and beaten in the public square," the statement said.
"As a structure for the promotion and defense of women's and girls' rights, the increase in such incidents is causing desolation and consternation within the Association of Women Lawyers of Burkina Faso (AFJ/BF)," the statement said.
AFJ/BF congratulates the authorities for their commitment and promptness in resolving the issues, saying that the government should continue with their efforts so that women and girls can enjoy their rights in the society.
It also urged the population in general and the victims themselves to report the cases so that the perpetrators can be identified and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
"We inform the population, especially girls and women, of the existence of our legal clinics (Bobo Dioulasso 20.95.60.60, Ouagadougou: 25.36.15.56) to provide them with legal, psychological, and judicial assistance.
AFJ/BF also called for action against these acts which constitute serious attacks on the physical integrity and dignity of girls and women.
"They are our mothers, our wives, our daughters, our sisters and we must all commit ourselves to guarantee them peace and security for their full development," it said.
-0- PANA TNDD/TBM/MTA/VAO 6Aug2020
