Violence against women during conflict
The war within the war: sexual violence against women and girls in eastern Congo
Use of sexual violence as a weapon of war is widespread in eastern Congo
Authors:
; Human Rights Watch (HRW)
Publisher:
Human Rights Watch , 2002
This Human Rights Watch report examines sexual violence against women and girls in the context of the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo. The report finds that sexual violence is an integral part of the conflict and has been used as a weapon of war by most of the forces involved. It highlights the prevailing climate of impunity and culture of violence against women and girls, in which sexual crimes are increasingly committed by police and others in positions of authority and power, in addition to armed factions.
The report emphasises the devastating physical, psychological and social effects of this ‘war within the war’, including unplanned pregnancies, the rejection of victims by their families and communities, and the spread of HIV. These effects are worsened by a lack of administrative control, insufficient political will to tackle the problem, limited medical services, and the fear of social stigma – factors which discourage women from bringing charges against rapists and from seeking medical attention. The authors stress the need for measures aimed at tackling the climate of impunity surrounding sexual violence, without which women and girls will continue to be targeted.
