European Parliamentarians with Africa

AWEPA CALLS FOR AN END TO RAPE AS A WEAPON OF WAR IN THE EASTERN CONGO

On International Women's Day, 8 March 2009

This year, on International Women's Day, we at AWEPA call the world's attention to sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).  Rape is being used as a weapon of war in the Eastern Congo.  The violence and brutality that women in the Eastern Congo face is unprecedented.  UNICEF estimates that hundreds of thousands of women and girls have been raped since the conflict began in DRC.  The atrocities being committed must be stopped.

As women's rights advocates we are deeply saddened by the stories we hear of women and girls being violently raped, of communities being destroyed, and of perpetrators getting away with the most horrific acts.  We are outraged that the world hasn't done more to bring an end to the war and pain and suffering.  We call on AWEPA members to raise the issue in their parliaments and demand action from their governments.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of women in the Eastern Congo and civil society activists, a global campaign to end the violence has started.  Our governments should join these efforts - and do more.  As representatives of citizens of your countries and as member states of the United Nations, government leaders can and must take action.  We ask you to ask your government to contribute to end the impunity for the perpetrators; to provide medical, psycho-social, judicial and socio-economic support for the survivors; and to end the violence in the DRC.

Please send details of the action you take to our Gender coordinator Marion Verweij at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .