Women still hurting in Bukavu
Source: Norwegian Church Aid - Norway
Hundreds of women were captured, raped, tortured and terribly traumatised by militias in D. R. Congo. Those who escaped are going through a healing process, but their predicament is
still dismal.
By Isaiah Kipyegon in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo
During the several conflicts that have taken place in the Great Lakes region, particularly in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, thousands of people have been killed, injured and maimed. The suffering and destruction caused to people and property is immeasurable, but children and women, as in many conflict situations, are most vulnerable.
According to Action for Living Together (ALT), a Norwegian Church Aid partner organisation based in Bukavu, women and children were violated beyond measure by militia and other armed groups.
"I was repeatedly raped in 2003 by three Interahamwe militia members in the presence of my family members. After that, they killed my father and carried me away into the forest," says 32 year-old Prudentia*.
Not welcome back home
After some time, Prudentia escaped and went back to her home where, instead of welcoming her, her husband left her. This has been the fate of many of the women who have been violated. Some of their family members, especially their husbands, reject them.
Even women in their old age did not escape the wrath of the militia. Stella*, a 70 year-old woman, was raped together with her four daughters. When her husband tried to intervene, he was shot dead. One of her sons, who saw everything, became mentally ill. He is now undergoing treatment for insanity.
Much more still needed
These are the realities that moved Mama Zawadi Mabinti to start ALT, a trauma centre for violated women. ALT supports violated women by providing treatment for infections, especially sexually transmitted ones, that they picked up during their ordeal. ALT also provides micro-credit facilities and income generating activities for such women.
"The women have to come and stay at the centre while they receive trauma counselling and other forms of medical attention. We also teach them how to make soap, baskets, sweaters, bread and other items that can be sold for income," says Mama Zawadi Mabinti.
ALT has attended to more than 1200 women. Even though Norwegian Church Aid supports ALT, the needs are many and require much more funds and supports. Medical attention including surgery and antiretroviral drugs, rent, food and other needs are still in short supply.
*Names have been changed to protect the identities of the persons cited.
For more information, contact:
By Isaiah Kipyegon in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo
During the several conflicts that have taken place in the Great Lakes region, particularly in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, thousands of people have been killed, injured and maimed. The suffering and destruction caused to people and property is immeasurable, but children and women, as in many conflict situations, are most vulnerable.
According to Action for Living Together (ALT), a Norwegian Church Aid partner organisation based in Bukavu, women and children were violated beyond measure by militia and other armed groups.
"I was repeatedly raped in 2003 by three Interahamwe militia members in the presence of my family members. After that, they killed my father and carried me away into the forest," says 32 year-old Prudentia*.
Not welcome back home
After some time, Prudentia escaped and went back to her home where, instead of welcoming her, her husband left her. This has been the fate of many of the women who have been violated. Some of their family members, especially their husbands, reject them.
Even women in their old age did not escape the wrath of the militia. Stella*, a 70 year-old woman, was raped together with her four daughters. When her husband tried to intervene, he was shot dead. One of her sons, who saw everything, became mentally ill. He is now undergoing treatment for insanity.
Much more still needed
These are the realities that moved Mama Zawadi Mabinti to start ALT, a trauma centre for violated women. ALT supports violated women by providing treatment for infections, especially sexually transmitted ones, that they picked up during their ordeal. ALT also provides micro-credit facilities and income generating activities for such women.
"The women have to come and stay at the centre while they receive trauma counselling and other forms of medical attention. We also teach them how to make soap, baskets, sweaters, bread and other items that can be sold for income," says Mama Zawadi Mabinti.
ALT has attended to more than 1200 women. Even though Norwegian Church Aid supports ALT, the needs are many and require much more funds and supports. Medical attention including surgery and antiretroviral drugs, rent, food and other needs are still in short supply.
*Names have been changed to protect the identities of the persons cited.
For more information, contact:
- Clemence Bideri, Gender Focal Point for Great Lakes Region, email: clemence@ncagl.org.rw
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
