Women facing war in Congo

All attempts at assessing the impact of the war on women in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) should avoid these pitfalls:

• firstly, it would be a mistake to consider Congolese women as a whole homogeneous and universal reality. Such a consideration would be a misreading of all the particular differences related to ethnic origin, social status, education or even to their geographical origin (urban or rural). Consequently, what is valid for the displaced woman of south Kivu is not appropriate for the Equateur woman and more less for her countrywoman of Kinshasa ; what can be said about the Kivu peasant woman becomes inappropriate for the peasant of Katanga or Maniema.
• Secondly, we must also avoid the notion that women and peace are one entity. Women are not necessary pacifists, the example of Rwanda where numerous women participated in the genocide is a case in point (1). Between 15 to 20 % of the congolese army is made of women contributing to the war. Therefore, war and peace are not male or female constructions, but they rather represent a form of rationalisation of violence considered as an acceptable tool to reach political goals.

The traditional role and status of woman in Congo during peace time

The traditional role of the congolese woman in peace time allows to apprehend why her status has deteriorated so deeply during these last years and why even in the context of the return to peace she will have to struggle for fundamental rights to assert her role in the society. Otherwise, her involvement and her contribution in the economic and social development would constantly be ignored or underestimated. First of all, it is important to note the distance between the rights granted to women and their condition of life. In fact, the law guarantees equal rights, assures that no woman be forced to get married without her own approval and stipulates that marriage is to be monogamous. They have the rights to inheritance and to vote. However, today’s women are even chased by their in-laws from their late husbands houses and deprived of goods obtained in common during the marriage. Polygamy is widely practised and is unpunished by law. Everywhere, mentalities and customs are against woman liberation and empowerment. Traditionally, women are responsible for feeding the family, contributing to the upbringing of children and, symbolise social and affective links in the community.

The UNICEF and the ministry of social and family affairs survey carried out in 1999 revealed that women are still victim of violence namely: forced abortions, marital authorization to work or travel, forced prostitution, rapes, assault and grievous bodily harm. As far as education is concerned, in 1994/1995 the schooling discrepancies in town and in rural areas were respectively between 2 and 10 % - 30 to 60 % in favour of boys. These gaps will increase as long as we approach the nuptial age for girls fixed at 18 years. The rate of illiteracy for Congolese women is estimated 46 % against 17 % for men. Research studies on the dynamics of family structures and access of women to education have shown that the proportion growth among women is blurred because of the multidimensional crisis generated by the war. That is the reason why many parents have decided to invest in boys education considered more profitable rather than in the girls . In the sector of modern economy, less than 2 % of women are among high ranking actors in scientific and liberal activities or among the highest managers (of firms ) or public authorities. The picture of a mother and submissive spouse subject to dowry dominates the traditional perception of women.

Why does the war in Congo affect men and women differently?

It is certain that more men die in the battlefield than women ( because of their representation). However, the conflict that has ravaged the Congo the last three years and whose scene takes place within the daily environment and the space of life of whole communities ( without distinction between combatant and non-combatants) has had effects on the foundation of the Congolese society.

The heavy displacement of populations mostly lead to dislocation of various families. Separated, women become responsible for their children future and have the obligation to guarantee the survival of the family in such a chaotic situation. According to various sources, in Maniema, at Kalonge, at Bunyakiri, at Shabunda, in northern Shaba, more than 60 % of displaced populations are from families of which husbands have ran away or have been enrolled in the army or in armed militia. In Maniema, they are estimated to be 80 %. The monoparental system as imposed on women is a source of permanent tension. Moreover, it is to be feared that this extended conflict will have side effects in establishing a culture of violence considered as a normal lifestyle of which women are actually victims. Even if peace is restablished this practice could carry on in the form of domestic violence.

During war time, this status has worsened but paradoxically, women are not only silent victims.

Far from being uniquely silent victims of the present conflict, women have progressively granted themselves a leadership role trying to ward off the consequences of the conflict on their families and attempting by all means to reduce the side effects of the war on their communities.

The rural woman dehumanised

In rural environment, women had the responsibility to ensure around 75% of the food production, they also take care of the food storage and transformation, for survival of the family. Around sixty percent of the food production was then marketed without her having the ability to benefit from the revenue generated. This income was considered as her husband property. This scheme had been shattered by the war that completely interferes with the woman’s traditional role. Violence has significantly weakened her adaptability; increasing on the other hand the responsibility for the family survival due to the present situation of resources scarcity. The struggle for life becomes so multifaceted as to turn in a daily battle that she is never sure to win.

• In Kivu, the poor woman who has no access to land is forced to rent her services to a landlord in order to earn a daily cassava ration. In forestry areas as Shabunda, Mwenga, Kalonge and Maniema there is plenty of land. The main risk in this area is that people do not reap the fruits of their efforts that is pillaged by Maï-Maï militia, Interhamwe or army. Her belongings (bedding, clothes, tools) are frequently taken away by aggressors.
• In northern Katanga, women go all over town for about thirty kilometres to find cassava roots, maize, and other staple foods.

Although the countrywoman manages to produce food, she remains dependent to rich businessmen who are the only one able to purchase and to carry her products in towns. They are the ones who determine the prices and women have no other choice than to accept what they are offered or to see their produce rot.

• At Kabare and Kalahe displaced women have bartered a twenty-five kg of maize worth 70 $ ( Bukavu) against a peace of clothe estimated 5$ in Bukavu. The fear of being half-naked in front of a foreign person is the consequence of such behaviour as to safeguard the dignity and the sense of honour.
• In Kindu ( Maniema ) women are itinerant merchants, selling everything available, even water.
• In Equateur, displaced women struggle daily for their dignity and survival. This testimony of Longo Bombendje collected by OCHA in Equateur province is eloquent.

... We are the displaced women in southern Equateur. Some of us have walked over 200 Kms carrying our babies on our backs to be far away from the war. Our life conditions here at Mondombe are tough. Firstly, we are in Equateur where it rains frequently and abundantly. When we flee from the war, we leave at the first crackling of bullet... leaving behind suitcases, loincloths.... In short, we escape with only what we are wearing. If you are in a field, you hastily leave without stopping in the village to evacuate the children... you keep going...running without them or only with some of them, the stronger ones; The family is split...Once you get here, you do not know how to survive since everything has been looted, even our machetes that are our main ploughing implements, are taken and sold by rebels who are usually unpaid. We are short of everything. We have no clothes, no shelter against rain and bad weather, no cooking utensils for cooking cassava leaves...Some of us are sometimes welcome by some families. We become then, extra-dependant since those families are undergoing almost the same difficulties; It is not easy to host mothers and their children. We cook the cassava leaves wrapping them in apple-trees leaves, we walk up the river to find drinking water and quench our thirst directly to the mouth from the stream. There is no cups. We have completely forgotten the plates. These are humiliating and degrading life conditions that the displaced women of this country are going through. We still survive although the country is "independent". All these sufferings are the consequences of the war. A cup of salt costs 20 FC and a slice of soap is150 FC. The purchasing process of the above items resembles a fight to get a visa to go abroad. Yet we are still in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We suffer here, we look for the way to find even a machete for our garden and ensure a bit of autonomy for our family and also keep our dignity. How will our children go to school ? What is their future. We do not even know whether the copybook or the pen still exist....We are not at ease at all.

When rape becomes part of the war strategy

In the context of generalised violence that has become the Congo case, whole regions, more particularly in Kivu have fallen under rebel movement’s control. Their modus operandi has improved in a way with heavy consequences : It is no longer a matter of fighting, looting and withdrawing; more and more the aim is to have control of entire villages and whole territories, of their wealth and their inhabitants. Maï-maï, Interhamwe and ex-FAC threaten the population. Women representing the weakest link in conquered villages are the first victims of blatant sexual violences.

In Kivu, Kabinda, and Equateur they are subject to sexual violences. Sometimes, silent and consenting in order to earn food, gain protection or find clothes. They symbolise in their pain the hidden cruelty of the Congolese conflict. Even a sudden backup of peace will not immediately wipe the repercussion of what they underwent and the humiliation that had been daily imposed on them.

This is one of this war’s consequences that the humanitarian actors have scarcely documented or treated.

When the first victims of the deterioration of sanitary infrastructures are women

The decline of health sector especially in rural areas particularly affect women with regard to their reproductive role. In 1986, only 5 % of the cost related to health sector were subsidized ( as against 50 % allocated by most of african subsaharian countries ) the balance being covered by NGOs, sponsors or by the consumers themselves. Presently, only 3 % of the state budget is allocated to health. Moreover health centers have been systematically targeted by combatants and destroyed or looted.

The story of Eshike Sakunga

This story is from the Wall Street Journal, December 1, 2000. Mark Schoofs testifies this weakening of women in front of the gradual decay of the sanitary structures of the country.

"Eshike sakungu, is 18 years old. She lived in a small village far off a day’s ride on a bicycle from Katako- kombe village. She was expecting her first baby and had taken every precaution to deliver safely. When the contractions started, she went to a local health center. She did not want to take any risk in delivering at home. 'The baby did not come out'. she said. The baby’s head jammed in the uterine canal. Sakungu spent four days in the health center trying to deliver. Nothing could be done to relieve her. The fifth morning she was in terrible deteriorating state. Her family then decided to take her to the Katako-kombe hospital on a bicycle. The trip took a whole day. She was admitted to the hospital. Unfortunately, the baby was dead. Sakungu’s uterus did not bear the shock. It burst and was grievously infected. The doctor inserted a drop pipe into her bladder to prevent liquid from draining away. Sakungu laid for weeks in the hospital, her urines still pouring on the ground."

Unfortunately, Sakunga’s story is not exceptional. Motherhood has become for numerous Congolese women, above all those living in rural areas, an extremely risky enterprise. The mortality rate among women and infant mortality is a mere evidence of the depth in the health infrastructure decline.

UNICEF estimates the infantile mortality at 128/1000 births and the rate of maternal mortality at 1837 for 100.000 births; one of the highest in the world. AIDS that everyone agrees to recognize as a time-bomb in the context of Congo affects particularly women.

When in town, the struggle for life is also sometimes a chance for emancipation

In urban centres, considering the resignation of men due to unemployment and unpaid salaries, woman ought to help. She has multiplied the scope of her activities in order to make end meet: sewing, small trading ... The profit is usually minimal because intermediaries are numerous and they are usually confronted with the lack of funds. Even if these activities guarantee a minimal income, it is unquestionable that women had been given the opportunity to shift from their traditional limited role of being kept close to their family, husband and children. Facing the world outside, struggling for life, taking risks in order to provide for family needs (man-like activities ) have granted women a financial independence and a great deal of self-confidence.

Gradually, women fulfil a leadership that leads them to a self organisation within associations with other women. They have also raised their voices on peace initiatives. During the Kigali conference on peace from june 25 to 30 2000; they have demanded unanimously for the return of peace in the Great Lakes. They also have made their voices heard on November 30 during demonstrations that they organised in Bunia: "we congolese women are tired of the war that has impoverished us, we demand the departure of all foreign troops, ... we say no to the war, no to the violation of human rights, no to the enlistment of our children in the army". This was the clear mark of progressive interest and awareness of the congolese women on political decisions affecting their country, their families and their daily life.

Sylvie Dossou
Information officer
OCHA - Kinshasa