rape during the Sierra Leone Civil War

Sexual violence and rape were prevalent occurrences during the Sierra Leone Civil War that took place from 1991 to 2002. Estimates range from tens of thousands to millions of women and girls who were victims of sexual violence, including rape, gang rape, forced mutilation of genitalia, forced sterilization, and forced impregnation by combatants belonging to various factions involved in the conflict. The perpetrators often targeted women and girls as symbols of ethnic or political groups they wished to humiliate or terrorize. Despite efforts to bring perpetrators to justice post-conflict, impunity remains high, further perpetuating the stigma and trauma suffered by survivors.