Four decades ago, when South African Dr. Sonnet Ehlers was on call, a profoundly traumatized victim of rape entered one night. She appeared akin to a living corpse, with her eyes devoid of any signs of life.
Recalled Ehlers, who was a 20-year-old medical researcher at the time, she glanced at me and expressed, “If only I possessed dentition in that region,” she stated. “I made a commitment to her that I would take action to assist individuals similar to her in the future.”
After four decades, Rape-aXe came into existence.
Ehlers is distributing the feminine contraceptives in the different South African cities where the World Cup football matches are happening.
While engaging in sexual intercourse, the female inserts the latex condom in a manner similar to inserting a tampon. Ehlers mentioned that the interior of the condom is adorned with rows of tooth-like hooks which firmly connect to the male’s penis.
Once the doctor lodges it, hopes are that authorities will be able to make an arrest using the Ehlers procedure, with only a standby to remove.
She expressed, “It is painful, he is unable to urinate and walk while wearing it.” “If he attempts to take it off, it will tighten even more… Nonetheless, the skin remains intact, and there is no risk of fluid exposure.”
Ehlers said she sold her car and house to launch the project and distribute 30,000 devices for free during the Period Cup World under supervision.
“I sought advice from engineers, obstetricians, and therapists to assist in the development and ensure its safety,” she stated.
After the testing phase, they will be accessible for approximately $2 each. She anticipates that the women will provide feedback to her.
When she goes out on a blind date, she said, “The ideal situation for a woman in this case would be to wear something comfortable.”
The mother of two daughters said she has visited prisons and talked to convicted rapists in order to find out whether such a device would have made them rethink their actions.
Some stated it would have, Ehlers mentioned.
Critics argue that the female condom is not a long-term solution and it makes women more vulnerable to violence by device the trapped men.
The act of wearing a condom should not be seen as a form of enslavement, as it represents the anticipation of protecting oneself from being assaulted. Victoria Kajja, a fellow at the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control in Uganda, stated that this fear surrounding condom use is also a form of “enslavement.”
Kajja stated that the device consistently reminds women of their susceptibility.
She stated, “It not only provides the victim with an inaccurate perception of safety, but also causes psychological distress.” “Furthermore, it fails to address the psychological issues that arise following assaults.”
However, its primary benefit is that it enables justice to be delivered, she stated.
Several rights groups operating in South Africa, such as Human Rights Watch and Care International, chose not to provide any comments.
As stated by Human Rights Watch, 5 percent of the male participants interviewed indicated that they had engaged in the act of rape within the previous year, while the 2009 study conducted by the nation’s Medical Research Council revealed that 28 percent of the surveyed men admitted to raping a woman or girl. Human Rights Watch, on their website, asserts that South Africa possesses one of the highest rates of sexual assault globally.
DNA tests to provide evidence are prohibitively expensive, and women affected by rape lack immediate access to medical care. Convictions for rape are rare in the majority of African nations.
According to Human Rights Watch, in South African society, justice is denied to factors that contribute to the normalization of rape and violence, as well as to women and girls who suffer from these violations.
Ehlers stated that women in South Africa resort to extreme measures to protect themselves from rape, including inserting razor blades concealed in sponges into their intimate areas, while some also opt to wear tightly fitted biker shorts.
Critics have accused her of creating a medieval contraption to combat sexual assault.
She stated, “Indeed, my apparatus may be archaic, but it’s for an ancient undertaking that has persisted for decades.” “I am convinced that action needs to be taken … And this will cause certain individuals to reconsider before they attack a woman.”