Femicide
One of the purposes of this blog is to raise awareness about the issues women worldwide face. Unfortunately women continue to be used and hurt around the world. Today CNN posted a special report about the acts of “femicide” taking place in the Congo. Women and girls (like 3 year old girls) are being raped and brutalized – literally destroyed as pawns in an ongoing war for power in the Congo. As tribes and factions compete for control of the country’s resources – diamonds, gold, and cobalt (sold to feed US demand for jewelry and computers) – women are the targets that are preyed upon.
Already having a low status in society, women who are raped are often then rejected by their families. It is emotional warfare that destroys the women and hence the families. Weaker tribes can be more easily conquered. Activists are desperate to get the word out about this ongoing violence against women – but wonder if the world cares enough to come to the defense of dark-skinned African women. Or are we too racist and sexist to even care?
How do you react to these atrocities? Do you think that continuing to advocate for women’s rights could help more people get involved in stopping horrors like these?
October 22nd, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
(groan)
I will intercede until I feel like I can breathe all the way down again.
October 23rd, 2008 at 4:08 pm
I think that if those who are led and gifted as such would create a video documentary and disseminate it to a wide audience, as in Hotel Rwanda, at least fewer people would have ignorance as an excuse [not that it should be, but let's get real - it is].
And unfortunately, the bread-and-circus consuming American masses [present company excluded of course!] are too media blitzed and obsessing about short-sighted worries such as the current status of the economy to think about such lofty ideals as…well, gee – “…are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights.” Of course, to them this refers to the right to brandish an AK-47, as opposed to those “black-skinned African women” having a right to not be subjugated and abused. But hey, there was only one Jesus, right?
October 28th, 2008 at 10:45 am
I have been doing research on rape in general for a pastoral care project. It is the NUMBER ONE under-reported crime in the world. That it has spread with such frequency to younger and younger people makes my heart stop.
Maranatha… come, Lord Jesus…
Deb
October 29th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
I’d like to hear more about your research on rape, Deb. I don’t know if this is part of your work, but I’d particularly like to hear of any programs run by churches (or christ-followers in general) you’ve come across that work with women who have been raped or sexually assaulted
So many Christians (so many humans in general) seem almost afraid to talk about this. Or, if they do bring it up, too often it’s to blame the person who was assaulted.
October 30th, 2008 at 12:12 am
Deb and Lydia, if you are still looking for info on what believers are doing in this realm, contact Maggie Ellis at Life Center in the UK. info@lifecentre.uk.com and website http://www.lifecentre.uk.com/ They are doing a great work with victims of sexual trauma. Maggie is a mature Christian as well as a psychosexual therapist.
October 30th, 2008 at 12:14 am
Also, see an interview with Maggie at
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article3318492.ece
October 30th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
lisa! Thanks for the info! I will contact Maggie post-haste!
I felt the need to get some research in this area because of needs within my own congregation… the emotional toll and the healing cycle is lengthy and painful…
deb
October 30th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Deb, I’m glad to help. I met Maggie in the UK in September at 24-7 Prayer’s global gathering. She came in to lead a seminar called “Caring for the Sexually Broken.” I was very impressed with her.