World Focus: Rape as A Weapon of War in Congo

Learn more: http://pulitzercenter.org/projects/africa/roots-ethnic-conflict-eastern-drc

War has raged through the Democratic Republic of Congo for more than a decade — it has been called the deadliest conflict since World War II.

The United Nations estimates that 200,000 women and girls have been raped in that time, some victims as young as three years old.

Both the Congolese army and rebel groups have used rape as a weapon of war.

Armed groups use rape to tear apart families, spread disease and weaken communities. Women are often victimized doubly — first by their rapists and secondly by spouses or family members who then find it dishonorable or socially unacceptable to associate with them.

Worldfocus special correspondent Michael J. Kavanagh of the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting and video journalist Taylor Krauss recently reported from eastern Congo. Together with Lisa Biagiotti and Bijan Rezvani, they produced this signature story.

This report is part of Pulitzer Center-sponsored project "The Roots of Ethnic Conflict in Eastern DRC" (http://bit.ly/uRzzPk).

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Pulitzer Center
• Congo
• Rape
• War
• Ethnic Conflict
• Rehabilitation
• Women Children Crisis
• War Rape Victims
• Internally Displaced Persons
• Africa War
• Resources War

[Moose786in]

my heart goes to the victims !

[bigpinkbunnyrabbits]

I agree. There would be no rape if they thought they might lose there penis.

[Ichliebemusikundybd]

All rapists should have their balls cut off and serve a life sentence in prison!

[Ichliebemusikundybd]

@PRIMALRAGE11 Women worldwide need to learn the fundamentals of self-defense when we discourage girls/women from taking control of their lives we ultimately support the victimization of them.

[PRIMALRAGE11]

Men in these countries suck

[YouMockMe]

T.I.A. This is Africa

[Simphany]

fuck. Id just carry a knife around and when any man would come near me start slashing and screaming until they freak out and run away

[mynobj]

i understand swahili....the translater was not talking everything the woman was saying.....so sad

[juniorjgc]

every war 1 soldier will commit rape! it too kill the moral of the enemy! i dont agree with rape but it the fact, i too hate rapist

[crypla7]

shit....if they ain standing together as family they are more than easy targets...its sad the innocent and defensless have to suffer for the ignorant bastards who have no god.....but their judgment will come