There is an Epidemic of Rape in DR Congo that has Reached Epic Proportions.
Today in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), people are still struggling after one of the deadliest wars in all history. Millions died and new conflicts threaten peace every day.
Perhaps worse than the loss of life is the staggering numbers of human rights violations – torture, mutilation and sexual violence that has occurred against tens of thousands of women and children.
There are Thousands of Women in the DR Congo Who Desperately Need Your Help, Like Honorata.
A Journey from Rape Survivor to Advocate
Honorata Kizende’s past is marked by incredible hardship, horrific violence, social isolation, and near death destruction. And yet, it is also an account of survival, strength, and testimony to human strength.
Honorata had been a sex slave and kept in captivity by armed militias in eastern Congo for almost a year. She was repeatedly gang-raped in public. After she escaped, the stigma of rape made her family reject her. Alone and destitute she found refuge in a friend’s house and was raped again when armed men looted the property. This time her daughter had to watch.
Today Honorata Kizende runs a small tie-die business with a group of women who pooled their resources. And she has decided to break the silence. Honorata is advocating for an end to sexual violence and calls on members of her community to restore the rights of women who have gone through rape and stigmatization.
Read her story, a journey from victim of sexual slavery to active citizen and advocate.
New York Times: Honorata Speaks Out Against Rape in the Congo
With Your Help Today Women for Women International Can Continue Its Success in the DR Congo
We are making enormous strides in DR Congo, but our work is far from done. The women are filled with hope that you will help them continue to rebuild their lives. You're not only changing the course of one woman's life – you're support and generosity improves entire villages and communities!
In the last two years, we have expanded our program to reach remote villages and have now served over 24,000 women and 113,756 family and community members since our start. Women for Women International program in DR Congo is working:
- 88% report having improvement in personal and family health
- 86% report having improved their economic situation
- 88% of women expressed increased self-confidence
- 83% report having a greater knowledge of their rights
- 88% expressed being more active in their community
- 87% report being more active in family decision making.
"This program has dared me to hope of having a house, of living in peace, of reclaiming my dynamism, my dignity.... I would like to be someone of value again."
- Honorata
Behind the Scenes with 60 Minutes
"It is Monday morning, November 5, 2007. Since I arrived here, we have, on all fronts, been working hard to capture this story for CBS news 60 minutes … on the rape epidemic in the Eastern Congo.”
- Judithe Registre, Women for Women International
Make a Generous $50 Donation Today and You'll Help Provide a Women in the DR Congo or Other War Town Nations Around the World With:
- Important rights awareness training
- Health and literacy training
- Job skills training
- Money for food, clothes and schooling
- A support system to help her go from victim to survivor to active citizen
Your Donation's are Used for:
- Read More About our Men's Leadership Training
- Get Involved: Learn More About Run for Congo Women
- Watch the Greatest Silence Video
Christine Karumba's Letter to the Editor
October 20, 2008
It Takes Men To Stop Rape in Congo
In response to “Rape Victims’ Words Help Jolt Congo into Change” (New York Times article article, Oct. 18):
The fact that rape victims are breaking the silence around the horrific sexual violence endemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is crucial for building peace and stability in the country. But without involving Congolese men, it will be difficult to address this problem successfully. Women have started to speak out on their devastating experiences. Men, by in large, have remained mute while playing a strong part in stigmatizing and excluding rape survivors.
"I say no to Rape, do you?"
Recently, more work has been done to engage men and encouraging them to change attitudes towards sexual violence and survivors of rape. Our Men’s Leadership Program, for example, appeals to the strong responsibility men have in the patriarchic Congolese society. Men are encouraged to understand women’s rights as a contribution to strong and successful family structures and recognize the vast implications of rape and other forms of gender-based violence.
Our data shows that including male perspectives builds community-wide understanding of preventing and overcoming sexual violence. Although more research is necessary, our experience also indicates that men have emerged from this program as using their position of influence to advocate against sexual violence and social exclusion of survivors.
Honorata Kizende, who was featured in your story, came to us a survivor of sexual slavery and gang rape. After graduating from our year-long program of rights-based, life skills training, she is now a Women for Women International program trainer, helping others to rebuild their lives and speak out against gender-based violence in the country’s protracted war. Honorata has come a long way from victim to survivor to active citizen. Now Congolese men need our assistance to start their own transformation.
Christine Karumba
Country Director
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Women for Women International
Outreach
Christine Karumba , Democratic Republic of the Congo
Country Director
Speaking at Women for Women International Congo Panel, Christine says the fear among women in eastern Congo is rising. Many have endured and witnessed gross sexual violence and are afraid that mass rape will increase if the country returns to full-scale war.
Click here to watch the video.
"It Takes Men to Stop Rape in Congo
The fact that rape victims are breaking the silence around the horrific sexual violence endemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is crucial for building peace and stability in the country. But without involving Congolese men, it will be difficult to address this problem successfully....
Recently, more work has been done to engage men and encouraging them to change attitudes towards sexual violence and survivors of rape. Our Men’s Leadership Program, for example, appeals to the strong responsibility men have in the patriarchic Congolese society..."
Read Christine's Full Letter to the Editor of the New York Times.
