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Violence Against Women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

Violence Against Women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). By Blaise Kalubi. The Democratic Republic of the Congo ( formerly known as Zaire). History of the DRC. To understand the DRC today, you have to understand the DRC yesterday.

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Violence Against Women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

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  1. Violence Against Women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) By Blaise Kalubi

  2. The Democratic Republic of the Congo ( formerly known as Zaire)

  3. History of the DRC • To understand the DRC today, you have to understand the DRC yesterday. • In the 1880’s- Belgium King Leopold II takes personal control of the Congo territory. • 8-10 million people die as a result of violence, forced, labor and starvation. About three times the population of Utah. • Congo is still a colony until the 1960’s

  4. Conflicts still rooted in decolonization • The DRC claims independence in 1960. • Congo used as a strategic ally by the USA • For minerals- The DRC is extremely rich in diamonds, copper, cobalt and gold. • For a central location for projecting military power.

  5. Recent History of the DRC • Current conflicts have resulted in millions of deaths. • In 1996 and 1997, the Rwandan genocide spilled into the DRC. • An estimated 150,000 people were displaced, lacking food, potable water, shelter, healthcare, etc. • Many were still trapped in conflict areas.

  6. Disorder has let violence continue • Such unrest has led to the violation of human rights: • Studies estimate about 48 women are raped in the DRCevery hour. • More than 33,000 children taken by armed groups • Child soldiers • Sex slaves • Sexual violence continues at horrific rates

  7. Women are targeted • Sexual violence to subjugate and humiliate populations they seek to control. • Why are women targeted? • A weakened state politically, socially, etc • A culture of impunity • Gender inequality • Economic interests & natural resource exploitation • Doctors Without Borders say 75 percent of all rape cases it deals with worldwide are in eastern Congo.

  8. “Many women wait weeks for surgery to repair injuries from rape and torture. Women waiting for fistulae and vaginal reconstruction surgery of Panzi Hospital, Buakavu.”

  9. “Femicide” “Nothing I ever experienced felt as ghastly, terrifying and complete as the sexual torture and attempted destruction of the female species here. The violence is a threat to all; young girls and village elders alike are at risk. It is not too strong to to call this a femicide, to say that the future of the Congo’s women is in serious jeopardy.” -Eve Ensler, founder and artistic director of V-Day

  10. Join the Movement • Sign up for the Enough Project’s Raise Hope for Congo campaign to protect and empower Congolese women and girls. • Learn how you can work with other students to end the conflict in Congo through STAND, the student-led division of the Genocide Intervention Network. • Join Vday and UNICEF (in partnership with UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict) in “Stop Raping our Greatest Resource: Power to Women of the Democratic Republic of Congo.” You can also sign up to participate in V-Day’s Spotlilght Campaign on the women and girls of the DRC and help raise funds to build the City of Joy in Bukavu, South Kuvu, DRC. • Share this presentation with your friends and communities.

  11. A Call to the World In September 2008, in Bukavu and Goma, 12 women surviors of sexual violence publicly testified about their experiences and toether with other activists across the region issued a Call to the World: “The international community must act on behalf of Congolese women and girls whether or not it serves their economic or political self-interest.”

  12. Summary • Political and civil unrest rooted in decolonization has grown. • Woman are the majority of those who fall victim to crimes against humanity. • We can help by sign up, join and share with communities to raise awareness.

  13. Sources • Jeffrey , gettleman. Congo study. 2011. Photograph. n.p. Web. 7 Dec 2013. • Rape as a Weapon in North Kivu. 2006. Photograph. n.p. Web. 7 Dec 2013. • Mark, . The photo of the king leopold. 2010. Photograph. n.p. Web. 7 Dec 2013. • vana , tampa. Why the world is ignoring Congo . 2010. Photograph. n.p. Web. 7 Dec 2013. • David, zhou. Congolese win the independence . 2012. Photograph. n.p. Web. 7 Dec 2013. • Sonya , bryskine. Minerals, diamonds published. 2006. Photograph. n.p. Web. 7 Dec 2013. • Mark, tran. It was like dying': a raped woman in Congo DRC speaks out. 20013. Photograph. n.p. Web. 7 Dec 2013. • HNHCR, . Sexual violence on the rise in DRC's North Kivu. 20013. Photograph. n.p. Web. 7 Dec 2013.

  14. YOU ARE PART OF THE SOLUTION Join us!

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