An unveiled reality: violence against women in West Africa.

Domestic violence, hidden by tradition and prejudice

Fatoumata, a civil servant, on violence that tradition and the silence of victims keep out of sight.

Domestic violence is an old problem, often misunderstood because of the weight of tradition and prejudice, and hidden by the silence of victims and the indifference of society. For Fatoumata, a civil servant at the Ministry of Women, the Family and Children, it must be fought with every means available.

“It is a process in which one partner behaves aggressively, violently and destructively towards the other within an intimate relationship. Control and fear keep the victim conditioned in a way that is hard to break without help. The consequences can be serious, even fatal. Although it is rarer, there are cases where women are violent towards men. It is a complex social problem, rooted in gender relations, and it cannot be addressed without questioning them.”

Few victims file complaints or turn to the law. Fear of reprisals, taboos around sexuality, shame and guilt all play a part, and almost all of these acts go unpunished.

The authorities have set up a helpline, but it has not been enough to curb the violence. Côte d'Ivoire has ratified the main international and regional instruments on women's rights, yet women still lack adequate protection. Civil society must continue its work for women's empowerment.

A glimmer of hope in the village of Touba

Ahou, a survivor, breaks the silence and organises her community.

In the small village of Touba, in western Côte d'Ivoire, a community that had long been silent about sexual violence began to change. Ahou, a 30-year-old woman and herself a survivor of sexual violence, decided to speak out. Despite the stigma, she refused to be defined by what had happened to her.

Ahou began raising awareness in her community. She organised meetings with local speakers and social workers to explain victims' rights and the help available, and encouraged other survivors to share their stories, creating a space where shame and fear could turn into collective strength.

Partnerships with local organisations and national activists widened her reach. Workshops were set up in schools, and local authorities, indifferent at first, began to recognise that the problem had to be tackled.

Progress came one villager at a time. Men who learned about consent became allies, and women who were encouraged to speak found strength together. Ahou and her team also pointed to the gaps in the legal system and pressed for better protection for victims. Their advocacy drew national attention, and the woman who once spoke alone is now followed by many.

The plot against an entrepreneur in Grand-Zattry

Maimouna S., a fashion entrepreneur, is targeted by a smear campaign and financial fraud.

Many women in Grand-Zattry face serious economic violence. Maimouna S., a successful entrepreneur in the fashion sector, became the target of a campaign meant to ruin her.

“False information circulated, suggesting dubious business practices, spread by people who stayed in the shadows and wanted to damage my reputation.”

At the same time, competitors organised attacks on social media. The violence then reached her finances: suspicious transactions appeared on her bank account and forged financial documents circulated. Business partners and potential investors began to withdraw.

Maimouna fought back. She hired cybersecurity experts and took legal action. “My fight is to protect my business, and it is also a fight for my reputation and my dignity.” She brought together other women entrepreneurs who had faced economic violence. Over time the truth came out and those responsible were identified. Her story shows the risks women entrepreneurs face in an increasingly connected world.

An interview with an activist

Mrs Drissa A., an activist in Côte d'Ivoire, on the scale of gender-based violence and the work still needed.

What is the current situation of GBV in Côte d'Ivoire? Unfortunately, GBV persists. According to figures reported by the representative of the ministry in charge of women, the report on GBV for 2022 recorded 7,919 cases: 1,198 rapes, 260 sexual assaults, 1,826 physical assaults, 182 forced marriages, 3,073 cases of denial of resources and 1,380 cases of psychological and emotional violence.

What is being done? Many NGOs work to raise public awareness, and education programmes are running in schools. The State has adopted specific laws on violence against women, created dedicated services and trained law enforcement officers.

What are the main challenges? The main challenge is changing deeply rooted attitudes. Gender stereotypes persist and feed GBV, so we must keep educating and questioning these norms. Ending verbal violence in the home is a shared responsibility, and each of us can help make it safer.

Affoué's call for equal opportunities

A public servant describes the inequalities women face inside Ivorian institutions.

Affoué has dedicated her career to public service. From the start, she noticed that training and promotion were unevenly shared: the men on her team were sent on specialised courses, while women were kept in administrative roles.

“Strategic meetings, where the important decisions were made, often had no women's voices at all. Sexual harassment was also present. We women often face inappropriate comments, unwanted advances and subtle discrimination.”

Despite her skills, Affoué faced clear pay gaps. Motherhood brought further obstacles, with inadequate maternity leave and a lack of childcare. She calls for real reform so that gender equality becomes part of how institutions work every day.

Pushed to the margins of politics

Adjoua, a politically active woman, on discrimination in parties and harassment during campaigns.

Political parties in Côte d'Ivoire are mostly led by men and struggle to include women fully. Key positions and candidacies usually go to men, and Adjoua, despite her skills and commitment, is regularly passed over.

During election campaigns, women candidates are judged on their appearance, their family life or their supposed unfitness to lead. Many also struggle to raise campaign funds. Adjoua has seen intimidation, threats and even physical attacks against women candidates.

She has stayed in politics despite all of this. Her testimony is a call to remove the discriminatory structures that keep women out of Ivorian politics.

The silent shadow over Mariam's life

Mariam describes how her husband's control grew from belittling remarks to isolation.

Mariam appeared strong, but she was being worn down by a hidden form of violence. When she met Moussa he was charming, but behind that front was a skilled manipulator.

The first signs were subtle: belittling remarks disguised as jokes. Little by little he took control of her social life and made her doubt herself. Constant criticism eroded her confidence, and he played on her fears and anxieties. He then cut her off from family and friends, and degrading remarks and veiled threats became routine.

One day Mariam saw clearly what was happening. She found the courage to speak out and seek help, and began the long road to healing. Her story urges other victims to break the silence and seek support.

The persistent shadow of domestic violence

An interview with Mr Camara B., a state official.

How widespread is domestic violence in Guinea? According to a 2019 UNFPA survey, 76% of Guinean women have experienced at least one form of violence in their lifetime, and 53% have experienced violence from a spouse. These figures point to a climate of impunity.

Who is most affected? Married women may be abused by their husbands, girls may be victims of sexual violence, and people with disabilities are also targeted.

How does the law address domestic violence? The Civil Code contains discriminatory provisions. In 2012 a draft law to punish violence against women was prepared with UNFPA support, but Parliament has not adopted it.

Finding their voice in Pita

Women in Pita break the silence on sexual violence and build a support network.

Fatoumata D., a young woman, speaks first. With emotion, she describes the day she was sexually assaulted in a dark alley. “It is time for us to talk openly about these atrocities.”

Fadima A. describes how her teenage daughter suffered in silence. Together the women plan ways to raise awareness, and a support network gradually takes shape. Legal reforms to better protect victims are being considered.

Unfair economic practices

Madina and Dorcas on low pay and limited access to resources.

In a remote village, a group of women meets in the shade of a baobab tree. Madina, a farmer in her forties, speaks first: “We work tirelessly in our fields, but unfair practices keep eating into our income. That has to change.”

Dorcas, an entrepreneur, describes the obstacles she overcame to start and grow her small business. “Women struggle to get loans and are often underpaid.” Under the baobab, the women have turned their pain into collective strength.

“Words can hurt as much as physical acts”

Dienabou and Mariama in Conakry on insults and belittling remarks.

In a busy neighbourhood of Conakry, a group of women meets in a small room. Dienabou, a mother, describes the constant insults and contempt she endures from her husband. Mariama, a student, talks about the pressure on women over their appearance.

The group decides not to stay silent. They create spaces in their neighbourhood to talk about the harm words can do, and run workshops on respectful communication and inclusion.

Discrimination in law and in the workplace

Maimouna and Fanta in Conakry on laws and practices that keep inequality in place.

Maimouna, an experienced activist, explains how discriminatory laws and outdated institutional practices keep inequality in place. Fanta, a civil servant, describes the obstacles her gender has put in the way of her career. “Women have the right to hold positions of responsibility without constantly being questioned.”

The group turns its anger into action, raising awareness of institutional injustice through public discussions and community sessions.

Paving the way for equal participation

Kadiatou and Safiatou in Conakry on intimidation and exclusion in politics.

Kadiatou, a lawyer, describes the intimidation and bureaucratic obstacles she faced as a candidate in local elections. Safiatou, a young activist, describes the cultural barriers that limit women's participation. “It is time to question these outdated norms and open the way to equal participation.”

The women have set up support networks to encourage women to stand for office and offer training in political leadership.

Conflict and trauma in Kamburu

Zainab lost her land and livelihood after an armed attack on her village.

Zainab was a successful farmer who supported her family and community in Kamburu, until repeated conflict between local groups shattered the peace.

One day, as she returned from the market, armed groups attacked the village. Women in particular were targeted and suffered severe physical and psychological violence. Continuing insecurity forced Zainab to abandon her land and flee with her family. She calls for collective action to restore peace in communities where women's lives remain exposed to violence.

Halima's shattered dreams

A student in Maiduguri, assaulted by a neighbour, finds her voice.

Halima was a student in Maiduguri who dreamed of becoming a teacher. Her plans were shattered when a neighbour sexually assaulted her.

The shame attached to sexual violence kept her silent at first, but despite the stigma she found the courage to speak. Psychosocial support professionals helped her rebuild her life and seek justice. Halima now speaks for others who have been silenced.

Ngozi's fight for independence

A Lagos entrepreneur whose husband took the profits of her business.

Ngozi started a small clothing business in Lagos. As a woman she found bank loans hard to obtain, and turned to informal lenders charging very high interest.

Then her husband took tight control of the household finances and began taking the profits of her business without her consent. She eventually sought help from local women's organisations. With their support she learned to manage her finances independently and freed herself from his control.

Nafisathou's toxic climate

Verbal abuse from her husband and at work in Abuja.

Nafisathou had a promising career in finance in Abuja, but at home her husband used verbal abuse to control her, belittling her professional ambitions. He also humiliated her in front of others at social gatherings.

When she also faced verbal harassment at work, she decided to break the silence. With counselling, she rebuilt her self-esteem.

Abuse of power in Nigeria

Human rights expert Fifamè Ahmed on progress and the challenges that remain.

RFLD: How do you assess institutional violence in Nigeria? Fifamè Ahmed: Nigeria has made significant progress, but cases of police brutality, corruption and abuse of power continue to be reported. The judiciary still needs to strengthen its independence.

RFLD: How can citizens help? Fifamè Ahmed: Citizens must know their rights, be encouraged to report abuse and take an active part in democratic life.

Intimidation and electoral conflict

Expert Lamidi Sani on political violence.

RFLD: How do you define political violence, and how does it appear in Nigeria? Lamidi Sani: Political violence covers actions meant to disrupt the political process. In Nigeria this can include intimidation, suppression of political rights and physical violence linked to political conflict.

RFLD: How can citizens help prevent it? Lamidi Sani: Citizens should know their political rights, take part in elections and report all forms of violence. Civil society has an essential role in monitoring elections.

Adaku's silent shadow

Emotional abuse and control by her husband.

Adaku was once full of confidence, until her husband Emeka's constant criticism and control slowly wore her down. He made her doubt herself, created a climate of fear at home and humiliated her in public.

Adaku eventually found the strength to speak out. With the support of women's rights groups and mental health professionals, she began to heal.

Leïla's battle against stereotypes

Prejudice at work, especially against pregnant women.

“I am Leïla, 25, and I live in Niamey. From my first steps into working life I felt the weight of gender stereotypes, especially those attached to pregnant women.

Legitimate requests for maternity leave were often frowned upon. Pregnant women faced an impossible choice between defending their rights and fearing for their jobs.

But I was determined. I became involved in initiatives to raise awareness of gender bias at work. Every small step towards equality is a shared victory.”

Amina's resilience

A survivor on stigma and the road to healing.

“My name is Amina, and I want to speak about my own experience as a survivor of sexual violence. It happened on a quiet evening.

Fear of stigma kept me silent for too long. After that night my life changed for ever, and the society around me was reluctant to talk openly about sexual violence.

With time I discovered my own inner strength, and local organisations listened to me. I am Amina, a survivor who refuses to be defined by that night.”

Zara's story

The president of a local organisation describes how a husband used money to keep his wife dependent.

“I want to talk about a form of violence that is often misunderstood and deeply harmful: economic violence. Let me tell you about Zara.”

Zara's husband took control of the family accounts and limited her access to money. He also steered her towards insecure, poorly paid jobs. She found support in her community and now takes part in advocacy for policies that protect women from financial dependence.

Aïcha's silent storm

Verbal abuse at home, and the support that helped her speak.

The words were gentle at first, then grew harsher until home became a place of constant criticism and reproach that undermined Aïcha's confidence. She remembers the curious looks of neighbours, but she stayed silent for fear of being judged.

RFLD offered her support. Today Aïcha shares her story in the hope that other women will find the strength to reclaim their dignity.

Against systemic exclusion

A woman's account of discrimination from school to the courts.

“My journey began in classrooms on the outskirts of a town in Niger, where the mockery and discriminatory remarks of teachers and classmates crushed my ambitions.”

Every job rejection reminded her that skills counted for less than opaque criteria. Corruption reached into daily life, and the legal system became a maze. With local organisations, she began documenting the stories of others caught in the same failures.

A local authority's view

A local representative on tension and conflict around elections.

“Niger's political history bears the marks of tension and conflict. Elections have often been a source of friction, made worse by ethnic, economic and territorial issues.”

Political violence, whether verbal, physical or institutional, has left deep scars, and the use of ethnicity and religion for political ends has fuelled tension. Peace mediators are working to reduce it, and civic education is seen as essential to help society resist political violence.

Recognising invisible abuse

A local representative on psychological violence and the need for safe spaces.

“As a local authority, I believe it is essential to recognise psychological violence. It can leave deep, invisible scars.

Verbal harassment is a common form, and words can hurt as much as blows. In schools it can take the form of discrimination and harassment, and the media can spread it through hate speech and misinformation.

We need awareness and education, and safe spaces where people can share their experiences without fear of judgement. They are essential to breaking the silence.”