Surgical castration: Madagascar tackles child sexual abuse head-on

In Madagascar, 673 rape cases involving minors were recorded in 2023. In January 2024 alone, at least 4 rapes were reported daily according to the Ministry of Justice … figures that are likely underestimated. Madagascar is also one of the top 10 countries in the world for online child pornography. To tackle this problem, Madagascar has legalised surgical castration against child rapists. But the measure has sparked outrage among several organisations, who denounce the punishment as cruel and an affront to human dignity. Until now, no castrations have yet been carried out, and medical professionals refuse to speak publicly on the subject. Gaëlle Borgia reports.