The ten-year tangle of alliances, invasions and proxy warfare centered in the Democratic Republic of Congo has made the region the world’s deadliest killing ground since WWII.
Rape is systematically used as a weapon of war and children are forced to fight for armed groups. Peace in the DRC means putting an end to the institutionalized violence against women and children. The video below shows Congolese children speaking about their experiences as child soldiers.
Rape is used in the conflict as a calculated strategy to destabilize opposition groups as well as promote fear and submission. It is not unusual for mothers and daughters to be raped in front of their families and villages. Human rights activists working to end violence against women often face grave threats of violence themselves.
Justine Masika Bihamba is one such activist. Because of her work to end violence against women, she and her family have been targeted. Justine described the current situation in Congo as a war against women. “When two sides fight, the one punishes the other by raping women,” she said.
Putting an end to the rampant sexual violence and the use of child soldiers is essential to ensuring peace in the region. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said that women’s rights are one of her top priorities. Make sure her promises become reality.
The recent dramatic reversal of alliances between the DRC and its conflict-entangled neighbors, Uganda and Rwanda, combined with the withdrawal of Hutu rebels has opened a small window for peace in the region.
The US has considerable economic and political influence over both the DRC and Rwanda. Take part in the online action today urging Secretary Clinton to leverage our voice to strenghten support for the UN peacekeeping mission and protect women and children in the DRC.
AIUSA Group 48 
Leave a comment