Accessibility links

Breaking News

Marchers Demand End to Mass Rapes in Congo


Thousands of women marched in the Democratic Republic of Congo Sunday to demand an end to mass rapes and sexual violence.

Congo's first lady Lembe Kabila led the march through the eastern town of Bukavu.

The United Nations has paid increased attention to the problem of sexual violence in Congo since rebels raped at least 300 people, including some men, during an attack on an eastern village in August.

A later U.N. report acknowledged that U.N. peacekeepers in the area did nothing to stop the rapes.

The U.N. says about 15,000 rapes are reported in Congo each year. Both rebel groups and government forces are accused of committing the rapes, as well as killings and other crimes.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP.

XS
SM
MD
LG