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Announcing: Women of Congo Speak Out!
an article by Nobel Womens Initiative
We are very excited to invite you to join us online
from February 19 – 26 as the Nobel Women’s
Initiative – led by Nobel peace laureate Leymah
Gbowee – travels to eastern Democratic Republic of
Congo.
click on photo to enlarge
We will meet with women who are at the forefront
of working for peace and an end to sexual violence
in conflict. Follow along with us on Facebook and
Twitter using the hashtag #CongoWomenSpeak, and
our blog as the delegation visits women-led
projects doing extraordinary work!
The war formally ended in Congo with a peace
agreement in 2002. However, violence still
characterizes daily life. Rebels, foreign military
groups, and the Congolese army continue to
perpetrate violence against civilians,
particularly in the provinces of North and South
Kivu. The conflict has claimed more than 5.4
million lives since the outbreak of the first war
in 1996. Exploitation of the country’s bountiful
natural resources has compounded the conflict
within Congo.
Women are disproportionately impacted. Along with
the economic and psychological burden placed on
women living in active conflict, the women in
Congo are also subjected to unprecedented rates of
sexual violence. Rape is used regularly as a
tactic of war, and impunity for gender violence
remains high.
But a critical mass of women-led groups are
working together to advance peace. Women are
employing innovative strategies to advocate for
protection, services, and justice. Congo’s women
are building a strong women’s movement for change
in their country.
The delegation will communicate what we learn in
eastern Congo with decision-makers across Africa
and in the international community. Our goal is to
support women-led change in Congo – we will
advocate that resources be targeted to support
grassroots women in their work for peace.
Join us!
Follow the delegation online. Find us on Facebook,
Twitter, Instagram and YouTube – @NobelWomen and
hashtag #CongoWomenSpeak – and follow the
delegation blog.
[Note: Thank you to Janet Hudgins, the CPNN
reporter for this article.]
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DISCUSSION
Question(s) related to this article:
Do women have a special role to play in the peace movement?,
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Latest reader comment:
The 30 articles in CPNN linked to this question make it clear that women indeed have a special role to play in the peace movement. See the following for an historical explanation of why this is true.
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