Rape as a Weapon of War Increases in Congo

Rebels raped more than 80 women in two days in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. A United Nations refugee agency estimates that rebel groups have killed as many as 500 Congolese civilians in the northeastern region in the past month and displaced over 40,000, New Vision reported.

According to the Agence France Presse, rape is a common tactic used in conflicts in central Africa. This attack came shortly after thousands of Congolese women marched in Kinshasa last month to protest rape as a weapon of war.

Since the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo began in 1998, tens of thousands of women and girls have been raped in sexual violence widely viewed to be a war tactic. Dozens have been raped in recent weeks by combatants.

Media Resources: New Vision 1/7/09; Agence France Presse 12/16/08; Feminist Majority Foundation 12/17/08

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