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Hope of Congolese women sparks inspiration worldwide
When we’re at our wits end, when paychecks disappear before they’re ever cashed, when the rain outweighs the sunrays and when tomorrow is dreaded more than expected –hope steps in to brighten and inspire our spirits.
Nine times out of 10, I usually find the silver lining of every cloud and the positive that can come of almost any situation I find myself in.
I try to never let myself get cynical and I always pray to see the good instead of the bad.
However much I may pride myself on having a hopeful outlook in my life –I will never compare to the women of the Congo.
Reports of the War
Against Women in the Congo have circulated newspapers, news stations,
magazines and the ears of non-profit organizations for years.
Efforts have been made to help these victims including educational,
preventive and self-defense measures.
While I commend everyone who has
helped, donated money or signed a pledge on the dotted line – it’s time
to start talking.
According to CBS News, female children as young as 3 years old to women
as old as 75 years old are brutally raped, even having objects inserted
into their bodies –tearing delicate skin around and inside their most
private of areas.
Around 90 percent of the female population of some of the villages in
the Congo have experienced violent rape, according to CBS News and
while many survive, they are often shunned from their families or too
ashamed to show their face around those they love. Many attackers even
rape their victims openly and in front of their families.
Most women have experienced not only rape, but also gang rape and
sometimes kidnapped for months at a time to be used at their attacker’s
disposal, according to CBS.
The use of rape as a tool has been common in the civil war in Congo, which has been ongoing for the past 10 years.
The Congolese army, rebels and homegrown militias have been fighting
against each other –forcing many communities to cram into camps funded
and created by the United Nations to keep their families alive. While
these camps are overcrowded –many arrive each and every day, looking
for a safe haven away from terror.
I’ve been reading about the War Against Women in the Congo for a while
and when I watched this video –something powerful struck me.
These women endure a pain – both physical and emotional throughout
their lifetimes. Many young girls lose their ability to reproduce and
are deformed due to their experiences. While this may be considered the
“norm,” in the Congo, these female victims are clinging to hope.
Through the UN’s efforts, these women are able to be educated so they
can work for pay and hopefully steer clear of the countryside where
most rapes take place.
They are also being taught to value their
bodies, the essence of being a woman and how to foster a sense of
self-worth after being taken advantage of.
After they make it through these acts and are considered survivors
–some women may even carry the children of their attackers, yet they
see their children as gifts from the heavens and look forward to the
day they can walk the gold streets, cleansed of their past experiences.
I can’t imagine going through such an ordeal – and the fact that these
women get up every morning and have hope for a brighter tomorrow is the
most inspiring piece of information I’ve ever read.
While I know not every woman may feel this way (and how could they
all?), just to know one woman believes her life can be better and
turned around means hope still survives in a sometimes ruthless,
impossible, disturbing and evil world.
The way to help the effort of these women trying to change their
perspective and prevent more girls and women from experiencing such
brutality is to talk about the War Against Women.
Many organizations like Women for Women and the UN will gladly accept
donations and volunteers and help educate anyone who will listen about
how they can help.
If the shadow of a long list of exams, a bad breakup, a fight with your
best friend and trouble balancing your checkbook looms over your head
–remember how much there is to be thankful for – and the power you have
to help women in the Congo.
Just start talking about it – raise money, organize a group to aid the
effort or a viewing party of CBS correspondent Anderson Cooper’s video.
The more who are educated, the more can be done.
The light of hope is one that will never be blown out – keep the flame burning brightly.
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