The women of the Congo are particularly impressive. If we think of our hearts as having room and places for individuals, then my heart has so much love and dedication to the women of the Congo. They are my inspiration for my work and they guide my passion. Without their power and their strength I would not be able to do the work that I do. It is hard at times to work on the DRC, with too many deaths, too many rapes, too much exploitation, and too much corruption, but I would place my complete and undying faith in the Congolese women. So much of the news and media that comes out about the Congo (when it does surface) is about war criminals, mineral exploitation, and other horrible atrocities. The amazing words and actions of the women in the Congo never make headlines. So, for many people, the Congo is simply seen as a failed state, but I believe that it is important to hear these voices and understand that in no way is the Congo a lost cause.
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Congo Rising
This week is too important in the world to not mention the Global Summit Against Sexual Violence. As I perused the internet I came across a number of videos and articles of the Congolese speaking out against sexual violence in global conflict. As Denis Mukwege says in a recent article from AllAfrica discussing rape in war: "It's not only sexual relations without consent. It's an act of destruction. It's an act which results in the negation of the other's humanity, and it's done to not only destroy people, but the community." Dr. Denis Mukwege is one of my heroes for the Congo. Not only has he stood up for women's rights and protected and helped the women of the Congo, but also he has risked his life for Congolese women for decades. The Congo may be thought of as the worst place to be a woman, but I am confident that Denis Mukwege along with the women from organizations across the country are raising up the Congo.
The women of the Congo are particularly impressive. If we think of our hearts as having room and places for individuals, then my heart has so much love and dedication to the women of the Congo. They are my inspiration for my work and they guide my passion. Without their power and their strength I would not be able to do the work that I do. It is hard at times to work on the DRC, with too many deaths, too many rapes, too much exploitation, and too much corruption, but I would place my complete and undying faith in the Congolese women. So much of the news and media that comes out about the Congo (when it does surface) is about war criminals, mineral exploitation, and other horrible atrocities. The amazing words and actions of the women in the Congo never make headlines. So, for many people, the Congo is simply seen as a failed state, but I believe that it is important to hear these voices and understand that in no way is the Congo a lost cause.
The women of the Congo are particularly impressive. If we think of our hearts as having room and places for individuals, then my heart has so much love and dedication to the women of the Congo. They are my inspiration for my work and they guide my passion. Without their power and their strength I would not be able to do the work that I do. It is hard at times to work on the DRC, with too many deaths, too many rapes, too much exploitation, and too much corruption, but I would place my complete and undying faith in the Congolese women. So much of the news and media that comes out about the Congo (when it does surface) is about war criminals, mineral exploitation, and other horrible atrocities. The amazing words and actions of the women in the Congo never make headlines. So, for many people, the Congo is simply seen as a failed state, but I believe that it is important to hear these voices and understand that in no way is the Congo a lost cause.
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