Goma, DRC: ActionAid is calling on Hillary Clinton to help end violence against women and girls in DRC on her visit to the country this week.
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News peg: Hillary Clinton’s visit to Goma, DRC – Tuesday 11 August
“We call on Secretary Clinton to lead the response to end violence against women and girls particularly in the light of her involvement as a co-sponsor of the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA) in the last session of Congress,” said Bibiane Mbaye, ActionAid’s Policy Coordinator in West and Central Africa.
Over 600 civilians have been killed in the country, thousands of women and girls raped, dozens of villages burned to the ground and over 800,000 people displaced from their homes since the start of military operations in January.
“Women and girls have been bearing the brunt of this war for close to fifteen years. The culture of impunity in the face of gross violations against the rights of women and girls must end,” said Mbaye.
It is estimated that close to 80,000 people were displaced from their homes in June alone and the exodus continues. In such situations, women and girls are at increased risk of violence and HIV/AIDS.
“We call on the US to fulfil their commitments to resource and implement a comprehensive approach to ending the violence,” said Alpha Sankoh, ActionAid’s country programme manager in DRC.
"Secretary Clinton should take the lead on ensuring that women centred reparation programmes and sexual and reproductive health services are strengthened in DRC", said Sankoh.
Currently there are fewer than five facilities health facilities offering comprehensive sexual reproductive health services in the east of the country yet thousands of women have been sexually abused and are suffering from fistula, sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS.
The US needs to review its humanitarian support to address the immediate needs of those suffering from conflict violence and also advocate for peace, good governance and an end to impunity.
The US government needs to support the Congolese government to implement Resolution 1325 and Resolution 1820 to ensure protection of women and strengthen their participation in ongoing peace processes and conflict resolution agendas. The military and peace keeping missions should be held accountable for their role in protection women from violence and ensuring access to justice.
ENDS
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