Congo crisis **warning EXTREMELY distressing*

[withorwithoutyou]

A friend posted this on facebook.

I can't tell you how harrowing it is but I do think it's important that people know what's going on there.

Please don't watch if you are feeling at all fragile.

Jesus,poor poor people

It's horrific and a huge problem - but the video really pissed me off.

Two well meaning, slightly drippy middle class women blubbing down a camera lens and then feeling a bit smug at the end for having done their bit - doesn't help anyone.

Of course aid needs to be given to help these women vicitims - but the answer lies in educating the young men of the country into understanding that they can't just have sex with any woman they want - and in encouraging the families of rape victims to see that there's no shame in being the victim of a crime.

Feels like they're mopping up but not preventing the spill in the first place...

That's great empress, well done.

I'm not sure it's purely about educating young men though is it?

If rape is being used as weapon of war, as it is in this instance then surely that indicates a knowledge of what it does to and takes away from a woman?

With regards to the two women in the video, I would be blubbing too if I'd come face to face with those victims.

It is about education, yes. rape is actually a huge problem throughout Africa.

1 in 4 men in South Africa admit to having raped a women. it's a culture where forcing a woman to have sex against her will is seen as acceptable.

There's a rape epidemic across the whole of the continent. but it's a sensitive issue and people don't want to be accused of being racist so the pussyfoot around it.

It's fine to be upset but the video (to me) had the whiff of the filmmakers being desperate to show us how upset they were - a little self indulgent and unprofessional

I don't disagree that education is important, I just don't think it's purely about education.

Congo is an incredibly complex region and there is no simple answer, education is important, as is empowering women within their own communities, the lack of a justice system and infrastructure is a huge problem also.

If anyone does want to help I suggest looking at Women for Women, they do a run for Congo women fundraiser and you can also sponsor a woman in Congo to enable her to go through a programme. Congo Now are the coalition group who focus on raising awareness and lobbying.

The now women no peace campaign is also worth looking at, pushing gov for action on women in conflict as it's the 10th anniversary of sec resolution 1325 this year.