71-Year-Old Rwandan Man Lives in Isolation for 55 Years Due to Fear of Women (Gynophobia)!

71-Year-Old Rwandan Man Lives in Isolation for 55 Years Due to Fear of Women (Gynophobia)!

Reported by Marian Opeyemi Fasesan | Sele Media Africa

In a remote Rwandan village, a 71-year-old man has spent over five decades in complete isolation due to an extreme psychological condition known as gynophobia — an intense fear of women.

The man reportedly built a tall wooden fence around his home at age 16 to avoid any form of contact with women, including female relatives and neighbours.

What Happened:

• At 16, he began experiencing severe panic and anxiety at the sight of women.
• He constructed a fence and has not left his compound since.
• Neighbours leave food and water from a distance, respecting his request to avoid female presence.
• He is believed to have bathed only about four times in 50 years and hasn’t ventured into his own village in decades.

Why It Matters:

• The case highlights an extreme but real mental health condition often misunderstood or overlooked in African communities.
• It raises concerns about the lack of mental health support in rural regions.
• His story also reveals how communities adapt around individuals with unique psychological needs, even without formal intervention.

Disconnected from Reality:

He is unaware of modern technologies — has never seen an iPhone and does not know electricity exists.

• His last contact with the outside world predates many of today’s common inventions.

What to Watch:

• Whether Rwandan mental health authorities will intervene or provide support.
• Broader conversations about access to psychiatric care and awareness in Africa.
• How traditional communities handle rare psychological conditions in the absence of formal treatment. Citations:

1. UNILAD: www.unilad.com/news/health/man-callixte-nzamwita-extreme-fear-women-isolation-55-years-145109-20240515?utm_source=chatgpt.com
2. Bored Panda: www.boredpanda.com/man-isolated-himself-55-years-fear-of-women/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

About The Author

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan

editor

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan is a dynamic journalist and editorial leader committed to excellence in news reporting and storytelling. As the Editor-in-Chief of Sele Media Africa, she ensures daily operations run smoothly while upholding the highest editorial standards. With a strong eye for detail and deep understanding of audience engagement, Marian coordinates content across platforms, guiding teams to produce compelling, timely, and credible news. Her leadership reflects the heart of Sele Media Africa’s mission—to inform, inspire, and elevate voices across the continent.

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