The Congo Today

Woman: 'They wanted to destroy my body and spirit'

"Adam Hochschild, author of the prize-winning book, "King Leopold's Ghost," wrote that Belgian King Leopold murdered up to 8 million Congolese while robbing the country of ore and rubber at the beginning of the 20th century. The struggle for control of Congo's rich natural resources -- the CIA Factbook says it is "endowed with vast potential wealth" in diamonds, gold and cobalt -- has fueled much of the violence today, activists say."

There is a lot of violence still going on today, and much of it has to do with natural resources just like it was with King Leopold in the Congo. Things are particularly gruesome for women in the Congo as they are raped and abused as an effect of the economic war.

"It's 'femicide,' " Ensler says, using another word to describe the treatment of Congolese women. "It's the systematic destruction of women. It's an economic war fought on the bodies of women. It's the destruction of the Congolese people and life itself."

Some organizations are attempting to create safe havens for these women to come and recuperate from abuse.

UNICEF says the war has cost more lives than any other war since World War II.

I wonder how these numbers compare to the death toll when Leopold was in power.

Rape has become a primary weapon in that war, says Geoffrey Keele, a UNICEF spokesman. Keele says rape is designed to destroy the Congolese community. Husbands, families and villages often shun rape victims. A weak and divided community is easier to conquer.

"Rape is designed not just to injure and dehumanize the women but impact their families and communities," Keele says.

I don't understand why these communities are allowing this tactic to work on them. Organizations should possibly be working with them to support and rehabilitate one another, not shun family members, dividing and letting the other side's plan work. I think there should also be many more safe havens for women.

Leopold may have set an example for today's Congolese who are fighting for resources. They have turned to violence and are using violence to gain control and power over the people.

http://articles.cnn.com/2008-10-15/world/congo.women_1_congolese-women-democratic-republic-belgian-king-leopold?_s=PM:WORLD