Rape Crisis In DRC Likely To Get Worse
From IRIN:
“Soaring insecurity in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has raised fears of a new wave of sexual violence in a region termed “the worst place in the world to be a woman” by aid workers.
During the first six months of 2008, there were more than 5,000 reported rape cases in the flashpoint province of North Kivu, according to data collected by doctors at health centres. The true figure is likely to be far higher, as women are too traumatised or afraid of stigma to seek help.
One hospital specialising in sexual violence in Goma, capital of North Kivu, admits on average four women a day - making more than 18,000 since it opened in 2003.
In neighbouring South Kivu, the UN reported 27,000 sexual assaults in 2006. It is impossible to say how many cases there have been across the country but based on anecdotal evidence, doctors say numbers are rising.
With the recent surge in fighting between the government army and rebels led by renegade general Laurent Nkunda, many more women - and some men - will likely have fallen victim to Congo’s notorious reputation for the use of rape as a weapon of war.”
“”This has to one of the worst places in the world to be a woman,” said Martin Hartberg, protection adviser in Goma for Oxfam.
“We have heard reports from every single woman in some villages that they have suffered some kind of sexual abuse in the last five years. It is as if rape has become ingrained into the culture of these armed groups, and it is very difficult to turn that tide without overall security reform in this country.”
A new constitution adopted in 2006 clarified definitions of rape and sexual attacks, and introduced a 20-year minimum sentence for those found guilty.
But few women have the money to prosecute, and the judicial system is too riddled with corruption to effectively stamp out the culture of impunity. “Getting rid of the men roaming the countryside with guns is the only way to stop it,” Hartberg said.
Ciza is more optimistic, however. “It is simple what has to be done - everyone must be taught that women have value and human rights,” he said.
“If that happens, then militia commanders can teach it to their recruits, children will grow up knowing that rape is bad, things can change.
“But it will take a long time. We have already come so far in the wrong direction.”"
Filed under: Uncategorized, Atrocities, Militarism, Misogyny, Gender-Based Violence, Violence Against Women, Rape, Sexual Assault, Human Rights, Refugees
Leave a Reply