01.06.11
They have lived with war and insecurity for years - and many have become victims of sexual assault giving Congo the nickname 'The world's rape capital'. 47-year-old Buma is one of 400 rape victims receiving support by the Danish Refugee Council with funds from the National Collection in Denmark in 2010.
Behind her serious looking eyes, a story is hidden that is hard to comprehend for most. Even for 47-year-old Buma herself. She is alone in most things. For 10 years she has been widowed and as a single mother she is accustomed to having to cope and to support also her five children. But the responsibilities and tasks have become more over time, and now she has become ill, too.
Women in danger
A saying in Congo goes: it is more dangerous being a woman than a soldier. Buma knows this better than most, and along with her many other women who share the same fate.
In 2005, Buma was raped. Two soldiers pulled her into the bush, pushed her to the ground and tried to force her to drink local alcohol. When she refused, they threw it in her ear, nose and mouth. Afterwards, they tore her clothes. With their riffle daggerts they pierced her knees before they raped her.
Buma has long been dependent on help from her brother but he died recently and left behind three children and their mother who Buma now needs to support. When Buma recently came to the doctor it turned out the assault has not only given her mental problems. She is infected with HIV.
"Buma story is so violent and brutal and it is hard to comprehend that this can happen. But unfortunately she is one of many women living with such wounds on both body and soul and we are trying to help as best we can," says Lena Fransson, project manager with the Danish Refugee Council in the Congo.
Supporting vulnerable women
With funds from the 2010 National Collection, the Danish Refugee Council has launched a project helping female rape victims in two areas of northeastern Congo. It is a difficult region to work in with an ongoing armed conflict. Violence continues to affect everyday life for both aid workers and for local inhabitants living with fear and uncertainty.
Still women cannot feel safe. New rape victims appear regularly and the perpetrators are to be found among soldiers from government forces as well as rebels from the so-called Lord's Resistance Army.
"Women are stigmatized by the local communities and struggle as victims of crime. They are often excluded from all forms of assistance and even from getting medical help. So they are trapped in a desperate situation where it is about survival on quite appalling conditions," says Lena Fransson.
Many mouths to feed
Although the problems alltogether are overwhelming, the most important for Buma is to make ends meet. There are many mouths to feed and only limited chances of making a living. She has a small plot which she inherited from her brother, but it is far from enough to feed the large family.
More help needed
There is a massive need for support of the women in Congo. Funds from the 2010 National Collection intially helps women in northeastern Congo where a Danish Refugee Council project includes support to 400 selected women who will be trained in small business development.
Buma and the other women in the project will also be offered psychosocial support to deal with the traumas they are facing. Together with the small piece of land and with the help of the children, there is prospect that the life that has been so brutal to her, might become just a little easier.
