International Journal of Sub-Saharan African Research (IJSSAR)

Background: Children born through sexual violence in Africa represent a highly marginalised and understudied population. While the consequences of sexual violence on survivors are well documented, far less attention has been given to the long-term, multi-level challenges experienced by children conceived through such violence, particularly across different stages of life (Nwafor et al., 2022).
Objective: To synthesise existing evidence using the Socioecological Model (SEM) and Life Course Theory (LCT) to characterise the multi-level and life course challenges faced by children born through sexual violence in Africa.
Method: A narrative review of peer-reviewed English-language studies published between 2020 and 2025 was conducted using PubMed, Medline, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Studies were limited to African settings. Data were analysed using SEM and LCT as guiding frameworks, generating five socioecological themes (individual, interpersonal, community, institutional, societal) and three life-course stages (early childhood, adolescence, adulthood). Results: The review identified interconnected challenges across all socioecological levels, including psychological distress, identity confusion, disrupted caregiving relationships, stigma, social exclusion, institutional barriers, and structural inequality. Life-course analysis demonstrated that early adversity becomes embedded in early childhood, intensifies during adolescence through identity and belonging struggles, and culminates in cumulative social, mental health, and economic disadvantage in adulthood. Evidence of resilience, adaptive coping, and protective relationships was also documented.
Conclusion: Children born through sexual violence in Africa experience persistent, multi-level challenges that accumulate across the life course. Addressing these challenges requires integrated, rights-based, and life-course-informed interventions that extend beyond short-term or individual-focused responses.
Unique Contribution: This review integrates the Socioecological Model and Life Course Theory to provide a comprehensive, multi-level and developmental understanding of the lived experiences of children born through sexual violence in African contexts.
Key Recommendation: Policies and programmes should explicitly recognise this population within child protection, health, education, and social welfare frameworks, while prioritising family-centred psychosocial support, stigma reduction, legal recognition, and long-term structural inclusion across the life course.