The suffering
of the women in the Congo, particularly in the east of the country
has long reached biblical proportions, yet and still the silence
continues throughout the global community. Hundreds of thousands
of women have been violently raped, mutilated and terrorized
by a host of culprits (Rebel Groups, Rwandan Soldiers, Congolese
Soldiers, civilian population and even the United Nations).
According to Dr. Mukwege of the Panzi hospital, approximately
90 percent of the violent rapes committed in the east of the
Congo is done by foreigners.
The atrocities visited upon these women are hardly mentionable
much less believable. They have faced gang rape, sexual slavery,
kidnapping, forced incest, genital mutilation, torture, murder
of loved ones and psychological trauma; all in an attempt to
terrorize, displace and subdue the population. The ultimate
reason for the terrorizing of the women and displacement of
entire villages by the perpetrators is to access and control
mineral rich land of gold, coltan, tin, niobium and other valuable
resources. In fact, two types of systmatic rapes are
taking place in the Congo; one is the violent raping of women
and the second is raping of the resources by mulitnational corporations;
and the two are inextricably linked.
Due to the impunity and absence of punishment of the perpetrators,
rape as a tool of violence and control has pervaded the culture.
However, in spite of the enormous odds, women and men have organized
themselves to combat the culprits and provide support and comfort
for the surviving victims of the atrocious crimes committed
over the past ten years.
Click
here to support women who are working against enormous odds
to end the violence and bring about security to their communities.
Below are several references for more information about the
situation of women in the Congo:
