As the world marks the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, Tiko is calling for urgent action to end sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and disrupt the cycle of HIV infection, unintended pregnancy, and sexual exploitation that continues to hold adolescent girls and young women back. One in five girls experiences sexual violence before turning 18, dramatically increasing their risk of HIV infection and unintended pregnancy.
The impact of sexual violence goes far beyond the immediate harm. It denies girls the chance to complete their education, access economic opportunities, and pursue meaningful careers, locking them into a cycle of poverty and dependence. Many survivors develop severe mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, further limiting their ability to recover and live with dignity.
In sub-Saharan Africa, one in every four girls gives birth before the age of 18, with many of these pregnancies resulting from sexual violence or coerced sex. Adolescent girls remain especially vulnerable, often lacking safe pathways to report abuse, seek justice, or access the support they need to heal and rebuild their lives.
At Tiko, we see how sexual violence fuels the triple threat, forcing girls out of school, silencing their voices, and limiting their access to life-saving information and services. Many girls who experience violence are left with deep psychological scars, facing depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress that rob them of their confidence, dignity, and ability to live their lives to the fullest. Without access to safe reporting channels or comprehensive, integrated services, they remain trapped in silence and stigma, putting them at even higher risk of unintended pregnancy, HIV infection, and lifelong emotional and economic hardship.
Tackling sexual violence is central to Tiko’s mission. In Africa, nearly 80 million girls and women have experienced rape or sexual assault before turning 18, lack safe pathways to report abuse, seek justice or access the comprehensive and integrated support to heal and rebuild their lives. Services for adolescent survivors are often nonexistent or deeply fragmented. This is where Tiko’s model is built for impact. Our approach is designed to strengthen and integrate low-performing and disconnected systems, exactly the challenge we see in sexual violence response today.
Through our community programmes, trusted partners, providers, and youth mobilisers, we connect girls to accurate information, protection services, and safe spaces to speak up and seek help. The Tiko platform links girls and young women to verified providers for contraception, HIV prevention, mental health support, and GBV response services, safely and confidentially. We streamline referral pathways, work with community-based organizations, and build the capacity of local champions to increase awareness, challenge harmful norms, and help survivors navigate services with dignity and without stigma.
In the first 12 months of SGBV integration, Tiko screened over 100,000 girls and served more than 5800 survivors with medical care, counselling, and referrals to legal or housing support.
As we scale, we’re monitoring progress closely to ensure the success of our sexual violence program. We’re working with governments and partners to strengthen local infrastructure, expanding training to ensure there are sufficient providers and mobilizers to meet girls’ needs, and engaging communities to reduce stigma and keep survivors safe.
Tackling sexual violence is not optional. It is the only sustainable way to end the triple threat of HIV, unintended pregnancy, and violence. Because every girl deserves more than survival. She deserves safety, dignity and a future free from violence, where she can be happy and thrive.
Benoit Renard & Serah Malaba
Co-Chief Executive Officers, Tiko