Malawi : la violente "initiation sexuelle" des jeunes filles par les "hyènes" • FRANCE 24

In southern Malawi, a violent initiation ritual exists: young girls who reach puberty must have forced sexual relations with a "hyena," a man chosen by their family. This rape is governed by strict rules and is organized in the utmost secrecy. A practice that persists despite its prohibition. This report received the Young Television Reporter Award from leRotarien magazine – 2017 Edition It is a necessary step in some communities in southern Malawi. As soon as they begin their period, young girls must spend the night with a man chosen by the family, called a "hyena," to mark their passage into adulthood. It is a "learning about sexuality" and, in local belief, a necessity for "purification" and protection against serious diseases. But for these young girls, it is above all a traumatic event: rape, which can also result in an unwanted pregnancy. The "hyenas" are men chosen by the community and secretly recruited by the girls' parents. They are paid to have these forced sexual encounters. And always without protection. A true catastrophe in a country where 10% of the population is HIV-positive, and even more so in this poor region, where 16% of residents are infected with the virus. The practice is now theoretically banned, but in rural Malawi, local law prevails. Enforcing the law is therefore difficult. However, attitudes are changing, and voices are being raised against this custom. Female district chiefs and NGOs have already begun the long fight to ensure that Malawi's young girls are no longer victims of this tradition. http://www.france24.com/fr/reporters #Africa Subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://f24.my/youtube LIVE - Follow FRANCE 24 here: http://f24.my/YTliveFR Our website: http://www.france24.com/fr/ Join us on Facebook:   / france24.videos   Follow us on Twitter:   / f24videos