Ending Sexual Violence in Congo
During her seven-nation African tour, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton met with women and men in a crowded refugee camp in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. One of Clinton’s priorities during her visit was to raise awareness of violence against women—a rampant problem in DR Congo where, according to the United Nations, approximately 3,500 women have been raped this year alone, along with a growing number of men and children. As reported in a recent Reuters article, Clinton announced that $17 million will be put towards helping these victims of sexual violence. “Those who attack civilian populations using systematic rape are guilty of crimes against humanity,” she stated. Clinton has called on the United Nations and Congo to punish perpetrators, and is urging the international community to get involved.
- What can governments do to prevent human rights abuses?
- What is the responsibility of the international community when human rights are being violated somewhere across the planet? What can they actually do about it?
- What is Clinton proposing to do to help victims of sexual violence? How effective might the proposed solutions be?
- Clinton said that “those who attack civilian populations using systematic rape are guilty of crimes against humanity.” What does Clinton mean by “crimes against humanity”? Do you agree with this statement? What are some other examples of crimes against humanity?
