Congo: Rape epidemic traumatising society

Women, some of whom have been sexually attacked, take part in a sewing workshop in Muganga camp, eastern Congo run by our partner, Caritas Goma [Peter Kristvik Risholm]

We have joined forces with a coalition of international organisations to raise awareness of the unacceptable suffering of the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

A coterie of artists, writers, musicians, and human rights activists will be showing their solidarity with the people of Congo, by coming together under the banner of Congo Now! on Thursday 7th May at London’s South Bank Centre.

Joining them will be Father Justin Nkunzi, Director of our partner, Bukavu Archdiocese Justice and Peace Commission, in South Kivu, a province in the eastern Congo.

He said: "I am pleased to be a part of this event, that will bring public attention to the issues of my country, such as the epidemic of sexual violence."

"The work of the Justice and Peace Commission is about changing attitudes and giving people the hope and the ability to bring about change for themselves, their families, their communities.

"CAFOD’s support for our ‘Listening Rooms are an important initative in the healing process."

Fear of attack

Although there have been several internationally brokered peace agreements signed in recent years, they are having little affect on the ground.

Well armed militia are active, often competing with each other for access to mines which produce valuable minerals such as gold, casiterite and coltan.

Instability and a population living in fear of attack, enables rebel militia to continue with their illegal activities of personal enrichment with impunity.

The United Nations Special adviser on violence against women – Yakin Erturk, has described the situation of sexual violence in Congo as the ‘worst in the world’.

She said: "The situation is most acute in South Kivu … where sexual atrocities that are of an unimaginable brutality aim at the complete physical and psychological destruction of women."

British actress Thandie Newton will be performing an Eve Ensler monologue at the Congo Now! event. Ms. Newton was one of the signoratories to a letter in the Times newspaper (2nd April) – ‘Tackling sexual terrorism in Congo’ along with 72 other female public figures.

In their letter they call for an end to the ‘horrific sexual violence and torture that has devastated the population…’

Place of sanctuary

The population of South Kivu is estimated at 1.5 million. In 2008 14,000 rapes were recorded, the actual figure is thought to be far greater because many survivors never tell, as the stigma means becoming an out-cast by the community.

"This is not about raping women for pleasure. It is a strategy for destroying a people," said Father Justin. "The perpetrators know that the most effective ways of humiliating a man is to rape his wife and daughters.

"These kinds of acts introduce illnesses such as HIV and AIDS which spread through the community and may affect people for many years to come."

Father Justin works with support from us, on tackling sexual violence, through a new network of listening rooms. The rooms are a place of sanctuary where women survivors of rape together with other members of their communities can come together to be comforted, to receive counselling and help to overcome the trauma of their ordeal.

Change mentality

It is most important to help ensure that community cohesion is not destroyed by these acts of violence.

He said: "The outreach work that we do, also includes men. Men must teach each other that real men do not violate or oppress women. We have to change the mentality of our men."

Father Justin told us that people also need justice not just food and shelter.

However, the justice system falls short of addressing the problems of sexual violence, and women survivors are denied the legal redress that they are entitled to under international and Congolese law.

We and our Congolese partners will continue to call on the British and Congolese governments as well as international policy makers, to tackle the underlying causes that drive the conflict in Congo and work at breaking the cycle of violence that pervades Congolese society. Father Justin said:

"The international community along with Congolese civil society need to continue to demand justice for the victims of sexual and human rights abuses and accountability in the exploitation and uses of revenues from our abundant natural resources.

"Despite the horrors that we continue to endure in our country, please also remember that we are a people that have the sheer will to survive and make our lives better.

"I hope that Congo Now! will be an opportunity to really bring the lives of the Congolese people to the people of London. "

For further information or interviews with Father Justin please contact: Nana Anto-Awuakye on mobile: 07799 477 541 or Tel: 020 7095-5560 or email nanto-awuakye@yahoo.com

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