Congo, Democratic Republic of the

Although the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), formally known as Zaire, has immense mineral wealth and an abundance of natural resources, the country continually ranks as one of the poorest countries in the world. Since 1996, the country has been ravaged by civil war and unrest, which has depleted the infrastructure of the country, causing a wealth of problems for its citizens. Women in DR Congo face issues relating to healthcare, education, and basic necessities.

The civil war in DR Congo has had devastating effects on the country's population of 64 million people; since 1998, over 5.4 million people have died as an indirect result of the civil war, and over 2 million people have been displaced. Securing the basic necessities of survival such as clean water, shelter, clothing, and medical care has become increasingly difficult, and women have been subjected to an increase in sexual violence.

Before the outbreak of civil war in DR Congo, women were viewed as subordinates to men, which can be seen in Congolese law and social norms. Under the Congolese Family Law, women are forced to obey their husbands and are not allowed to take legal action unless their husband agrees. Men, unlike women, are allowed to have extramarital affairs, and although polygamy is illegal, it is overlooked throughout the country. Women do not have the legal authority to force their husbands to wear condoms; therefore, married women are subjected to increased risks for sexually transmitted diseases and human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS).

Women in DR Congo have traditionally played a large role in the agricultural economy of the country because it is their responsibility to plant and harvest crops. Many women also make their living from making charcoal and trading at markets; 90 percent of market traders are women.

Access to reproductive healthcare has and will continue to be one the largest issues facing women in DR Congo. Before the civil war, DR Congo had little in the form of reproductive healthcare for women, and the services that were available were often expensive. The surge in sexual violence as a means of war has meant women have gone untreated after suffering brutal physical and psychological attacks. Armed forces from all sides of the war have kidnapped, raped, and forced women into sexual slavery. An increase in the number of sexually violent attacks has also meant an increased number of sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS, and pregnancies. Young women also often face physical injuries, such as fistulas and internal bleeding, as a result of rape.

The high cost of medical care combined with the social stigmas associated with rape have prevented [Page 330]thousands of women from receiving proper medical treatment and caused many to remain silent. Many communities and families will ostracize a woman after she has been raped; as a result, many women remain silent to try and carry on with their lives.

Churches, local nongovernmental organizations, and other organizations have organized treatment centers for women to seek physical and psychological help, as well as improve their quality of life. Women receive educational training as well as skill development and training, which prepares them for future employment.

...