Violence Toward Women, Children Increase in Congo
November 26, 2008 – 4:36 pmCNN:
(CNN) — The number of girls being raped has increased sharply since fighting intensified in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a humanitarian group said Tuesday.
A survey of children at refugee camps finds rapes of girls under age 17 are increasing.
Also, the recent fighting between rebels and the Congo government has heightened the threat of children being recruited as soldiers, said World Vision.
“A silent war has been waged against women and children,” said Sue Mbaya, the humanitarian group’s Africa advocacy director. “Women and girls in the hundreds have been targets of opportunistic and brutal rape, while children are also being targeted for recruitment or re-recruitment as child soldiers.”
World Vision said they surveyed children at six refugee camps in the country, finding that 120 girls under the age of 17 reported being raped in October. That’s compared to five reported cases in April and June.
Mbaya was scheduled to address the issue Tuesday during a report to the United Nations Security Council.
Entire article.
We need to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ in this country, and that the gospel would spread and take root in the hearts of many - For the Sake of Christ’s Name!
Recent MM articles on the turmoil in Congo:
“Congolese Children Recruited by Rebel Forces” - Thursday, November 13th, 2008
Update on the Violence in Congo - Wednesday, November 12th, 2008
”A World in Need“ - Thursday, November 6th, 2008
“Fighting in Congo“ - Monday, November 3rd, 2008
“200k Congolese Forced from their Homes”- Friday, October 24th, 2008
