For the past 10 years, over 5 million people have died as a result of a conflict between the government and rebels in the Congo. Perhaps the even greatest tragedy of this situation is the brutal rape of women, which is used as a weapon to terrorize people into submission. Women who survive being raped are subjected to the new challenge of being ostracized by their communities and families, who view them as unclean. The rebels have no restrictions to their victims. Children as young as 6 and women in the 80s have been raped. The United Nations calls it the worst sexual violence in the world.

One of the goals of the people behind Women Are Not Weapons is to educate the general public about the conflict going on in the Congo. We would like to visit groups and inform them about the situation. Our hope is that they will share the information with their sphere of influence thus bringing increased attention to the issue. 

HEADLINES:
Following are some links to a number of recent news stories on the situation in the DR Congo (the violence against women & some of the issues that have perpetuated the violence).

Faced with a Gun, what can you do? (by Global Witness)
Report, press releases, audio, and other documents about the war and militarization of mining in eastern Congo.

Blood Coltan (by thedossier.ukonline.co.uk)
Documentary video explaining the source of much of the conflict, a rare mineral called Coltan that is critical to the electronics in mobile phones.

Sexual violence, torture surging in Congo: Oxfam (July 14 by AFP)
Info on how the occurrences of rape and torture are continuing, and even surging this year.

Press Conference on Situation in Democratic Republic of the Congo (July 10 by the U.N. Press)
UN assessment of the current situation.

DR Congo troops accused of rapes (July 2, 2009 by BBC News)
US-based Human Rights Watch says thousands have been raped by rebels and soldiers in the past six months. And it says the UN, with 12,000 peacekeepers backing the troops, risks becoming “complicit” in the atrocities.

DR Congo: Massive Increase in Attacks on Civilians (July 2 by Human Rights Watch)
The attacks on civilians from all sides have resulted in a significant increase in human rights violations over the past six months.

A Broken U.N. Promise In Congo (June 30 by Eve Ensler in Washington Post)
The (poor) implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1820.

Conflict in Congo (June 16 by the International Crisis Group)
A general explanation of the situation, as well as info on their ideas/suggestions for response.

Mass Stigma Scars Congo’s Rape Survivors (Oct 10, ’08 by Dominique Soguel of WeNews)
A psychologist in a Congo hospital says decades of war have produced a rape-friendly culture with a double standard. While perpetrators go unpunished the victims, including children, are ostracized.

 

Our heart goes out to the women who have been brutalized by troops and ostricized by their communities. We want to help ease their burden. Currently, we are trying to establish a relationship with a local organization in the Congo dedicated to the same idea. Whether it be emotional support or funds for social restoration programs, we are ready and willing to help. 

This is the most difficult aspect of Creative World Justice. Several members are committed to being a part of the solution to this tragedy. They want to understand the culture and the origins of the conflict.

Thank you for taking a look at the site - we hope that you are now ready to jump in with us as we speak to the world 'WOMEN ARE NOT WEAPONS!' on behalf of those violently assaulted in the Congo.

If you are interested in learning more about WANW or any of our Creative World Justice efforts - please contact us, gary@fusionokc.com