Efforts to eradicate sexual violence in Congo should be reflected in state budgets.

Congo should put its money where its mouth is in fight against sexual violence in east of the country

While the Congolese Parliament examines the draft annual budget for 2010, the MJPC urges the Government to translate its words with deeds in the fight against sexual violence in eastern Congo. More recently, the UN declared Eastern Congo "The Rape Capital of the World" (Congo has to put its money where its mouth is in fight against sexual violence in east of the country)

"While commending the government for adopting measures to end this tragedy, the MJPC regrets to note that such a commitment is not reflected in the state budget. "It is regrettable that the history of budget allocations in the Congo does not show a serious action in the fight against sexual violence in Congo. This struggle should not be limited only in statements," said Executive Director of the MJPC, Amede Kyubwa.

"Despite many claims that the Congolese government is committed to eradicating sexual violence, Eastern Congo has been in a state of chaos for over a decade, yet year after year, the government adopts budget without any allocation whatsoever in connection with the fight against sexual violence," notes Mr. Kyubwa.

"It's really sad for some half a million victims of sexual violence who are unable to take their lives and desperately need government help to rebuild their lives. Unfortunately, the government has not yet taken steps to help "

The MJPC maintains that the recent announcement that the United States will spend 17 million dollars to help victims of rape in the DRC creates good conditions for asking the Congolese authorities important questions such as:

>> Why the Congolese government has never allocated budget for half a million victims of sexual violence in Congo?

>> Why the magnitude of the problem has not yet awakened to the Congolese authorities feel that they have a moral obligation as government to help the victims?

"If the fight against the endemic sexual violence in eastern Congo is one of the pressing concerns of the Congolese government, it must then be reflected in its annual budgetary allocations.

Among other things, the MJPC calls on the Congolese government to establish a compensation program to help people who have survived sexual violence in eastern Congo to rebuild their lives.A petition in favor of this program can be signed here. These people need medical attention, counseling and psychological support and children born of rape need to go to school.



About MJPC (Mobilization for Justice and Peace in DR Congo)
The MJPC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to working to add a voice in promoting justice and peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly in the east where thousands of innocent civilians, including children and women continue to be victims of gross violations of human rights while the armed groups responsible for these crimes remain unpunished