Guinea's police commissioner Marie Gomez stated that cases of rape in the country have decreased from 2018 to 2026. She made this statement during an event organized ahead of Guinea's Independence Day celebration, where she shared her professional experience with young girls and discussed gender-based violence. According to Gomez, this decline is largely due to strengthened prevention and awareness actions carried out among the population with the support of non-governmental organizations.
Gomez highlighted that prevention and awareness efforts on the ground have contributed to the decline in rape cases. She mentioned that police services, through training and awareness campaigns in different regions of the country, have been actively working to educate the public about the consequences of gender-based violence. These efforts have been carried out in collaboration with organizations that assist in sensitization.
The police commissioner emphasized the importance of communicating in national languages to enable populations to better understand the offenses related to gender-based violence and the sanctions provided by law. She noted that the legal texts in Guinea are written in French, and therefore, it's essential to communicate in local languages for better comprehension.
Gomez provided statistics on rape cases recorded in Guinea over several years to support her claim. In 2017, 204 cases of rape were recorded, while in 2018, the number decreased to 116 cases. The following years saw 393, 374, 306, and 281 cases in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively. In 2024, 225 cases were recorded, and in 2026, from January to March 31, 15 cases were reported.
Gomez clarified that the 2026 data is partial, as the collection is still ongoing through regional representations. She encouraged victims of gender-based violence to report to competent services to assert their rights. Gomez also advised young girls to be cautious when using social media due to the risks associated with new technologies.
The event where Gomez shared her insights was an intergenerational meeting organized on September 29, 2026, as part of the preparatory activities for Guinea's Independence Day celebration. During the meeting, Gomez shared her professional experience and discussed ways to prevent and address gender-based violence.
Key points from Gomez's statement include the decline in rape cases in Guinea from 2018 to 2026, the importance of prevention and awareness efforts, and the need for communication in national languages.
Key points
- A decline in rape cases has been observed in Guinea from 2018 to 2026.
- Strengthened prevention and awareness actions have contributed to the decline in rape cases.
- Communication in national languages is crucial for better comprehension of gender-based violence offenses and sanctions.
