Three years after the introduction of the law protecting pupils from sexual violence, the Togolese authorities are taking a firmer stance. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education recently launched a crackdown on sexual violence in schools, targeting both the pupils and teachers involved.
The climax of this repression was reached in March 2025 in the Plateaux region, where some forty pupils were punished for impregnating their fellow girls. Françoise Simala, head of the Ministry's Gender Unit, said: "The law has struck. All the perpetrators have been brought to account for their actions".
The penalties laid down by law are severe: 10 to 20 years' imprisonment and fines of up to 50 million FCFA for those responsible for paedophilia, 1 to 5 years' imprisonment for abuse of power, and up to 5 million FCFA in fines for those responsible for learner pregnancy. Rape, meanwhile, can lead to sentences ranging from 10 to 30 years' imprisonment, particularly if the victim is a minor.
The crackdown is also accompanied by an extensive nationwide awareness campaign. A tour, recently completed in Lomé, reached over 30,000 students across 14 prefectures of the country. This initiative aims to raise awareness among young people and prevent acts of sexual violence in schools.
Ms. Simala emphasized: "No one is supposed to ignore the law. Schools must return to ethical and moral values", reminding us that repression must not replace prevention. The Togolese government is thus maintaining a two-pronged approach to cleaning up the school environment and ensuring the safety of pupils.
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