DR Congo: Conference Highlights Protection From Violence

On Monday we attended a day long conference on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) organized by Congo Global Action. The theme of the conference was "Connect for Congo: Working for Hope and Peace in the DRC."

The conference included different panels on issues related to peace and stability in the DRC. Of particular interest to us was the panel focused on gender-based violence -- an all too common occurrence particularly in eastern DRC. Many of those who are displaced in eastern DRC fled their homes because of human rights abuses, including sexual violence, that have been committed against them by various armed groups.

The panel on gender-based violence included Dr. Denis Mukwege Mukengere, who runs the Panzi Hospital in South Kivu, recently featured on 60 minutes. At the Panzi Hospital, Dr. Mukwege treats survivors of sexual violence, many of whom suffer from physical and psychological wounds long after they have been raped. This violence is most commonly carried out by the many rebel groups in eastern DRC but also often by soldiers with the Congolese national army. Dr. Mukwege pointed out the disturbing trend that more and more civilians are sexually assaulting women and girls. And there continues to be a culture of impunity in the country for perpetrators of sexual violence.

While women are at the frontline as targets for sexual violence, the impact that rape has had on communities in eastern DRC is immense. Dr. Mukwege explained that women who have been raped are often rejected by their husbands in the DRC. Many men are psychologically traumatized when their wives or daughters are raped because they were unable to help them from being attacked. So the men reject these women out of their own shame and inability to deal with the situation. Men affected by the rape of a spouse or family member clearly also need counseling and support to deal with such a traumatic event.

In addition to medical and psycho-social support, what people in eastern DRC need first and foremost is protection from the armed groups who carry out these acts of violence. Several Congolese speakers at the conference pointed out the urgent need for peace and security in eastern Congo. Even members in the audience from the Congolese Diaspora expressed their frustration at what they said was the inability of the international community to stop the violence in eastern DRC and assist those most in need.

Civilian protection in the DRC rests first and foremost with the Congolese government, but in the eastern part of the country, the government has little control over the various rebel groups or even its own army, the FARDC, who continue to commit abuses against civilians. The international community, including the UN Peacekeeping Mission in the DRC, is working to assist and protect civilians in eastern DRC, but many Congolese still do not feel protected.

We will be traveling to the DRC on an assessment mission in a few days. We plan to speak with displaced people in eastern DRC to learn what their needs are and how best the local authorities and the international community can further assist them so that they will feel safe and able to return to their homes once again. Check back here for our blog posts from the field.

-- Camilla Olson and Mpako Foaleng