Women Survivors of Rape in the Congo (Congo) 

As is well-known, a lot of wars around the world have used the rape of women as a weapon of war. This practice has become almost a norm in war situations in Africa, but the one case that has left behind riveting numbers of casualties and survivors, is that of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is estimated that as of today we have at least 200,000 survivors of rape living in the DRC. Some of the survivors are as young as three years and while others are as old as 70 years of age. The wound and scars that this ugly war has left among women – physical, mental, spiritual and psychological are inestimable. But the amazing thing is that women are fighting the gloom and tragedy that have come with their dehumanization, forming solidarity groups and even mothering and bringing up children resulting from these rapes. At the same time, they are fighting against negative patriarchal and sexist stereotyping that views them as violated women who have “lost their womanhood” and who should, therefore, be ostracized by their communities. Women are also fighting back through claiming their voice and telling their stories of horror, naming their violators and all the time asserting their humanity. A lot of organizations locally, nationally and internationally have been working in solidarity with the survivors of rate in the DRC to achieve the goals mentioned and many more. One of the organizations is known as Congokazi: Congolese Women Association and among its leaders is Professor Ngwarsungu Chiwengo of Creighton University. In 2012, UWAO fundraised and donated $1,000 to Congokazi in support of its work among survivors of rape in the DRC. The money went into meeting some of the needs mentioned above and Chiwengo had this to say in an email reporting the effect of UWAO’s donation:

“The situation in the DRC is as tense and frightening as it has been these past years. The women have taken the burden of pain. The good news is, their courage and works as they struggle to heal brings some light in the tunnel for the country because it sure needs it. UWAO has contributed towards this process and the women of Congo send their eternal gratitude.”

The other piece of good news is that Dr. Denis Mukwege, a gynecologist and winner of the Nobel Prize who is, surely, one of the greatest living heroes, has devoted his medical skills to nurse back these women to life through his work at Panzi Hospital, near Lemere, Bukavu.  He has often said how stunned he is by their courage as each day of their lives is a vicious battle with “death.”  His voice is haunting as he reminds us of it through words to the effect: ‘You see these women here?  Some of them have stopped living.’