Violence against women, in the form of brutal rape, is being used as a weapon of war in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Two Congolese women are running a campaign called ‘It must stop’ in order to shine an international spotlight on the atrocities, and hold powerful leaders to account.
In a five-year conflict, government forces, backed by Namibia and Zimbabwe, fought rebels backed by Uganda and Rwanda. Despite a peace deal fighting continues in the east.
The deadliest war in the world is raging in the Democratic Republic of Congo right now, and conflict minerals are helping to fuel the violence.
Since 1996, armed groups continue to massacre villages and rape women in large numbers, sustaining themselves by controlling mineral mines and trading routes. This is despite the presence of the world’s largest UN peacekeeping operation in the region. Estimates of those killed in this conflict are more than 6 million, and the majority are women and children.
Appealing for an end to the conflict
We, Congolese women, are now appealing to ordinary people throughout the globe to come to our side and help us in to bring an end to this conflict.
Hundreds of thousands of women and girls have been literally raped to death and still are, while the world watches in silence.
Even a cat thrown in a bin sparked outrage and created international headlines. But, the media do not report the massacres, rapes, mutilations of Congolese women.
We request the support of men and women worldwide. And to do this, we need anyone who can to get behind our campaign.
Currently, in the DRC, there is an avalanche of well intentioned organisations that assist and relieve abused women. It is necessary to highlight that while these programs mobilise important funds, unfortunately results are often tiny and the impact insignificant.
While addressing the consequences, it is important to put in place appropriate mechanisms to act on deep causes and to propose appropriate steps for durable solutions.
You can help – take action
We believe that the starting point to changing something is knowing about it. Please take time to learn about the shocking events that are taking place today in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and spread the word.
You can also write to your MSP or MP to ask them what they are doing on this subject.
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