Par le Fonds de développement de la femme africaine (Rapport Annuel )
Cette semaine a vu la condamnation historique du lieutenant-colonel Kibibi et 9 soldats gouvernementaux pour crimes contre l'humanité pour les horribles viols massifs que des femmes ont subis le jour du Nouvel An dans le village de Fizi au Sud-Kivu, République Démocratique du Congo (RDC).
AWDF hopes that this successful prosecution of a commanding officer and his subordinates begins to stem the tide of impunity that has long persisted in the DRC. The war being fought on the bodies of Congolese women must stop now. Ending the culture of impunity which allows men (including soldiers and government officials) to rape women at will with no fear of retribution is a crucial step in creating societies in which women can live in peace and with dignity.
We salute the courage of the Congolese women who, in spite of threats against their lives, testified against the soldiers who had raped them and terrorized their village. We stand in solidarity and send congratulations to the many Congolese, African and international activists and women’s rights organizations that continue the struggle for the safety of women and girls in the DRC and redress against the ongoing violence perpetrated against them. And we appreciate the innovative resources that our partners, especially the Open Society Initiative (OSI) put into creating better lives for women and girls in the DRC. Without OSI’s support for mobile courts this landmark case may not have been possible.
AWDF will continue to work with women’s rights organizations in the DRC in their ongoing efforts to promote, protect and realize the human rights of all women and girls.
