A recent article by Women’s E-News suggests that the continuous battle over natural resources in Congo and its neighboring countries has led to a disturbing spike in rape and sexual abuse crimes throughout the region. The mining of diamonds, gold and other minerals in the DRC has attracted raids on the region from surrounding countries that seek to profit from the exports. Constant internal upheaval has left displaced populations – particularly women – vulnerable to rape and incessant violence associated with the lack of regulatory action. In fact, it has been estimated that within the first few months of the year over 1,500 women were treated in North Kivu for sexually-related crimes.

International market exploitation of the region is an direct cause for the continued genocide and widespread violence. If peace is to return to the DRC and surrounding countries involved with the volatile mineral trade, it will be crucial for such international companies to cease their support of an industry involuntarily fueling heinous crimes against humanity.

Organizations such as “The Enough Project” are attempting to curb the acts of genocide and violence against women associated with the mineral trade through campaigns emphasizing accountability for those involved with this international industry and its related violence.  The Enough Project suggests that Congo’s rich mineral resources can be used for internal development and empowerment, yet peace and safety is still far off in the DRC.

To read more, go to:

http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/4029/context/archive