1. Posted on Saturday 21 November 2009 - 13:49

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   Mforgham

   

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   Solomon Tembang Mforgham, AfricaNews reporter in Limbe, Cameroon

   The United States of America has made a financial donation of $17 million to assist the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo in its efforts to end sexual violence against women in that country.

   

   DR Congo’s Minister of Gender, Family Affairs and Children, Marie-Ange Lukiana, thanked the US after her ministry received the money to help combat violence.
   
   The payment of the money came after U.S Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made a pledge of financial and logistical support during her recent visit to a refugee camp in eastern DR Congo where she interacted with rape victims.
   
   Lukiana is quoted as saying the money will be used in part to attract female police officers and pay for medical and psychological help for the victims. The money will also boost Kinshasa's efforts to end sexual violence against women.
   
   "Regarding the $17 million yes it is in operation and the money is already at the USAID (United States Agency for International Development), and a part of the money is in operation with an international NGO… and in a programme named HOPE," Lukiana said.
   
   She said Kinshasa has instituted a programme to end sexual violence.
   
   "The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, with partners, reviewed a national strategy to combat the violence and then in that (action) the government put in place a machinery which is a first national agency for combating sexual violence and we have the fund for the protection of women and protection of children," she said.
   
   Political observers, nonetheless, say sexual violence is often used as a tool of war in the DRC where government troops are fighting various armed groups in the eastern part of the country.
   
   Meanwhile, the United Nations estimates that about 3,500 women have been victims of rape in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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Reactions

1. Posted on Monday 23 November 2009 14:15

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   edith hughes

   

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   China's one child policy is a start, but shows that men will not cover up.
   
   For rape, take DNA and cut it off, unless he gets sterilised. One person - one child, unless you are very rich.
   
   This is the best 'public education' for this. Fertility and food security amounts to the same thing. These are human issues, not 'women's issues'. Women are simply left holding the baby - that is why men do this. Women in Africa have more to offer than a depleted fertility,like dead soils, today.

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