Sexual and gender-related violence against girls in sub-Saharan Africa: a need for effective interventions

High rates of sexual and gender-related violence (SGRV) against girls occur in sub-Saharan Africa. SGRV generates fear, anxiety, and depression and leads to multiple adverse outcomes; its pervasive nature constitutes a significant public health crisis; the need for effective interventions is evident as currently applied programs have known limitations, and 1 in 3 women still suffer gender-based violence in their lifetime. This report reviews the challenge and mental health impact of SGRV in sub-Saharan Africa, summarizes the strengths and weaknesses of currently applied interventions, and describes a novel social empowerment intervention piloted in Uganda which achieved nationwide reach. Girls were engaged in high schools to identify the SGRV issues they saw as priorities. A music video was recorded by celebrity artists with scenarios to illustrate these issues and promote positive interventions; this used the framework for Education-Entertainment media, a validated form of health promotion. Over 12 months, the video was viewed 36,651 times on YouTube and generated >200,000 social media posts; streaming platforms saw 113,757 individuals downloaded the song; >310,000 people at public concerts heard the song performed; and eight national broadcasters played the video or song at least 30 times reaching a combined audience of >9,500,000. We suggest these data and the inherent merit of a preventive SGRV intervention warrant further consideration of this music video model; other countries can produce region-specific, population-focused versions to meet the urgent need for targeted interventions to raise societal awareness and enhance mental health support for those living in fear of sexual violence.