This archive report was first published on 23 June 2020.
On Monday, hundreds of campaigners in Sierra Leone took to the streets to protest against sexual and gender-based violence, following the death of a five-year-old girl who was raped multiple times.
The protest was sparked by the tragic death of the young girl, who died on June 17 after suffering severe injuries from the assault.
The suspect, a relative of the victim, has been detained and is under investigation, along with a suspected accomplice.
Despite the police's efforts, campaigners are concerned that the case may not be properly investigated and prosecuted due to the police's incapacity and other socio-cultural factors.
News of the girl's death broke out over the weekend, after a copy of her post-mortem report was leaked on social media, prompting widespread outrage among Sierra Leoneans.
First Lady Fatima Bio, a well-known campaigner against sexual and gender-based violence, vowed to wage a 'battle' against the perpetrator, promising to act to ensure justice.
The protest was a spontaneous response to the incident, with campaigners calling for justice and an end to the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence in the country.
