StMU Research Scholars

Featuring Scholarly Research, Writing, and Media at St. Mary’s University

November 15, 2019

Sexual Violence as a Military Weapon in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A Testimony of Victory

Winner of the Fall 2019 StMU History Media Award for

Best Overall Undergraduate Research

“I have proved and believe that change is possible even after a long period of uncertainty, challenge, isolation, despondency, rejection, hopelessness, and anger,” said Jane.1 Jeanne “Jane” Mukuninwa was born in the village of Lulingu, in Shabunda Democratic Republic of Congo sometime in the 1990s.2 She lived in her village with her parents and was a little girl full of joy, innocence, and freedom. Before the civil war, she played with other children under the rain, went to the river and the farmlands, and ran through the streets with no fear. Jeanne and her family were safe and lived in peace. One of the few problems she experienced before the war was lack of education, and like many her age, she was not able to read or write.3 However, this problem was nothing compared to what was to come. At fourteen years old, her entire life was transformed by the horrors and darkness of the civil war.

Soldiers from the Democratic Republic of Congo during a time of civil war and violence | Courtesy of Council of Foreign Relations.

The civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was and is a regional conflict that began in 1994 and officially ended in 2003, but political, social, and economic issues have been ongoing. This conflict began in an aftermath of the Rwandan genocide when the Ugandan and the Rwandan governments invaded the DRC in 1996 with the intention to terminate the refugee génocidaires that were living in eastern Congo. The outcomes of this war, referred to as the First Congo War, were that Uganda, Rwanda, and the Congolese opposition leader Laurent Désiré Kabila would overthrow the DRC dictatorship government of Mobutu Sese Seko. Nine African countries were involved in the Second Congo War and because of this, it is better known as The African World War. The Second Congo War lasted five years and was one of the deadliest international conflicts since World War II. This war was caused when the new government of the DRC feared that Uganda and Rwanda were going to take control of the mineral resources of the region, and asked them to leave Congo. Instead of leaving, these groups united forces with militia groups and caused harm to the civilians and killed the president of Congo at that time, Kabila (father). In 2002, two peace accords were signed by Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda.4 However, the domestic issue inside Congo was not finished. This was the cause of displacement, immigration, disease, and sexual violence throughout the country. Even though the DRC is the richest country in the world when talking about its mineral resources, it has become a place in which its people are among the poorest in the world. From 1993 to 2003, tens of thousands of people were killed, and numerous others raped and mutilated by both Congolese groups and foreign military forces.5 Approximately 200,000 women and girls were assaulted, with the north-eastern provinces of DRC being the most affected areas and girls ages ten to seventeen years old being the most vulnerable.6

When Jeanne was fourteen years old, she became an orphan due to her parents’ disappearance in the middle of the civil war conflicts, and their bodies were never found. They were presumably massacred during the fighting, and Jeanne never saw them again. As a consequence of this, she moved with her uncle from her mother’s side of the family and his family. Immersed in deep pain since the loss of her parents, she didn’t know that this was just the beginning of her suffering. Before the war, she did not know the meaning of the word “rape,” but soon after the rumors from other villages about it started to increase, fear came over her and other women. Shortly after she moved in with her uncle, the Hutu militia attacked her village. The family was inside the house when they heard some commotion outside and locked the door for security. Since the door was not strong, the militia broke it down and went inside the house. The Hutu militia stole everything that was in the house of value and made them walk and carry the things for days. If any person in the group complained about anything they were killed instantly.7 This day, the militia not only stole their belongings, but also brutally tortured her uncle by cutting off his hands, gouging out his eyes, cutting off his feet, cutting off his sex organs, and then just left him like that. He was still alive.8 After that, the militia kidnapped her aunt, cousin, and her. Jeanne Mukuninwa remembered clearly; that was the day of her first and last menstrual period. After that day, she understood clearly what the meaning of the word rape was.

Jeanne Mukuninwa, who is a rape survivor, being interviewed by The New York Times to share her story in 2010 | Courtesy of Nicholas D. Kristof/The New York Times

“Rape is a weapon even more powerful than a bomb or a bullet. At least with a bullet, you die. But if you have been raped, you appear to the community like someone who is cursed. After rape, no one will talk to you; no man will see you. It’s a living death.”9 Sexual violations have a negative and destructive effect on families, affects people physically, psychologically, and increases the propagation of diseases among the population. In the DRC, rape is used as a war weapon and its victims struggle each day to have rehabilitation. Mass rape is a key weapon in this conflict since the different militia groups utilized it to silence the people, control communities, territories, and natural resources. Since the act of raping a woman terrifies her, humiliates husbands and fathers, and makes the family feel less and weak, it is used as a tool to coerce entire communities into silence. Also, in many of these communities, the women that are raped become rejected by men or even expelled from the community. Through silencing the community, the militia groups gain security, authority, and domination, and justice is made almost impossible. Studies confirm that sexual violation rates are higher in areas where there are mineral resources available. This means that through sexual violations, the community is weakened, and it is easier to control its natural resources. Other reasons why sexual violations are used as a tactic of war in the DRC are as spiritual rites, to humiliate, terminate pregnancies, increase food insecurity, express frustration and anger, and retaliate. Sexual violations are “cheaper than bullets, and more destructive in many cases.”10 In one attack in April 2018 committed by the Mai-Mai militia, at least sixty-six women, eleven girls, and two men were raped and gang-raped. Mass rape is a continuous menace to the DRC’s public health since approximately 1994. According to the United Nations’ Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), in 2018 there were 1,049 cases of conflict-related sexual violence against 605 women, 436 girls, 4 men and 4 boys.11 Sadly, these numbers can increase if governmental institutions do not do something to stop this.

When people were captured by the militia, if they were men, they were most likely trained to be porters, and if they were women like Jeanne, they were used to cook and as sex slaves. Any man could countlessly rape her, and sometimes she was even raped by rifles and sticks.12 Constantly, Jeanne and other girls were tied spread-eagle and gang-raped; consequently, Jeanne quickly became pregnant. Since her body was not prepared to receive the baby, a doctor, who had been kidnapped by the militia, opened her by cutting into her stomach without anesthesia or disinfected utensils, in order to save her life. After taking out the dead baby, parts of the baby’s body remained inside of Jeanne. Because of this, her uterus was decomposing and made her produce a foul smell that permeated through her mouth and genitals. Jeanne was no longer useful as a sex slave, and the militia threw her to the street, almost dead. Walking alone while almost dying, she managed to get to the Panzi Hospital, where Dr. Mukwege performed nine surgeries to save her life and her reproductive system. The Panzi Hospital is a foundation that earned global recognition as a treatment center for victims of sexual violence in conflict. Dr. Mukwege is the foundation’s director and a gynecologist who gained worldwide recognition and received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018.13

After surgeries and recovery, Jeanne returned to her village with hope; however, that hope was soon destroyed. The militia returned to her village and raped her again. She was left naked in the forest for days until she found her way back to the Panzi Hospital.14 People routinely came to see all the sexual violence victims at the hospital. Because of this, Jeanne, together with other women, “felt humiliated [when] being filmed and photographed like animals in a zoo.”15 However, one day a woman named Eve Ensler went to the hospital and asked the victims what she could do to help. Hopeless and without trust in the promises made by Eve Ensler, these women answered that they wanted a place where they could feel secure, heal, tell their stories and be empowered.16 These women, Jeanne included, wanted a place of refuge for their bodies and their souls. Actually, Jeanne was the one that spoke up for all the women in the group. This conversation with Eve Ensler changed everything in Jeanne’s life and birthed a place of restoration, the foundation, City of Joy.

The sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo is a consequence of the economic disaster that began in 1996 and produced the Civil War. Tunataka nini?…Tunataka nyumba na amani. What do we want? We want a home and peace.17 Women were afraid of returning to their communities after what they experienced, so they asked for a home and peace. Founded in June 2011, the City of Joy in the Democratic Republic of Congo is a non-profit organization made, owned, and run by local Congolese people. The purpose of this organization is to empower and rehabilitate victims of sexual violence. The organization is located in Bukavu, Eastern DRC, and has aided over 1,200 women.18 Jane calls the City of Joy a place where joy, self-confidence, love, hope, and ferocity are regained after a period of trauma, isolation, despair, and uncertainty.19

Programs like the City of Joy are examples of non-governmental organizations that address public health issues where governments lack the ability to respond and act. Non-governmental programs like this one are mainly funded by donations from individuals and professionals like gynecologists and advocates against sexual violence. In the case of City of Joy, Dr. Denis Mukwege and Eve Ensler, an American feminist activist are primary donors. City of Joy works to improve public health within the DRC by providing education, psychological help, gynecologists, and self-defense training. This community is called the City of Joy because, according to Jeanne, “Women who come from their villages carry a burden of trauma and are unable to speak. Many believe they have lost hope and can’t do anything better. When they enter the City of Joy, they start breathing the air of joy because they are embraced. They smile for the first time after they have been assaulted and they find people who want them to feel at ease.”20 The City of Joy serves ninety survivors of gender violence from ages eighteen to thirty. For each six-month period, the City of Joy offers an intense program of education and training where women learn valuable life skills like agricultural knowledge, reading, writing, self-defense, and many more.21 The City of Joy believes women are not victims; rather, they are survivors, and each woman is valuable to her society no matter what they experienced. Women have the right to be treated with dignity and each woman is capable of activating their own recovery process.22 In 2016, City of Joy had the opportunity to create a Netflix documentary film called The City of Joy. This film told the story of the first class of graduates from the City of Joy in 2011.23

On June 2017 The City of Joy, Democratic Republic of Congo, celebrated its 11th Graduation. Here in the picture, the graduated women and the director, Christine Schuler Deschryver | Courtesy of City of Joy official webpage

When Jeanne first came to the City of Joy, she felt happy and understood. There were people who cared about her. Before the City of Joy, she felt as she was the only woman that had experienced sexual violation; however, at the City of Joy, she heard other women’s testimonies and identified with them. Thanks to this, she understood that she was not alone and that each one of the sexual violence survivors had a unique story. Jeanne became a first-generation graduate from the City of Joy in December 2011. Though Jeanne experienced a very difficult time of torture and rape, after the rehabilitation program of the City of Joy, she was transformed into a totally new person. She transformed her “Pain to Power” like the lemma motto of the City of Joy says, and was able to become a leader to her community and to the City of Joy.24 The change in her life was so significant that she decided to change her name from Jeanne to Jane. She changed her name because of her transformation in the program. “Old Jeanne was full of self-pity, hatred, and suffering. New Jane is independent, young, and a leader.”25

The City of Joy taught Jane to count money, read, sew clothes, write, and even learn English. Presently, Jane works as a staff member at the City of Joy and was part of the 2016 Netflix documentary about the story of the City of Joy and its role in changing and empowering women’s lives. Jane has become an activist and leader for her Congolese community. She wrote two blogs about the V-DAY movement (to end violence against women) in Rise for Justice, which is an international movement that advocates for justice against sexual violence.26 Jane is an instrument of change, and an example and a voice to everyone who experienced the horrors of sexual violence. Being part of the program of the City of Joy allowed Jane to recover her self-love and self-acceptance; she understands that she is a beautiful human being and what she experienced with sexual violence does not change her essence. She declared in an interview with Art at Harvard University, “love has more power than medicine to heal people who have been traumatized and rejected by their communities.”27

  1. Jane Mukuninwa,  “Congo Rising: Why am I Rising for Justice,” One Billion Rising (blog), January 17, 2014,  https://www.onebillionrising.org/4467/rising-justice-jane-mukuninwa/.
  2. Jeanne Mukuninwa,  “Congo Rising: Why am I Rising for Justice,” One Billion Rising (blog), January 17, 2014,  https://www.onebillionrising.org/4467/rising-justice-jane-mukuninwa/.
  3. Lyneoyugi, “How Militia Rape me and Tore me Apart,” Lyneoyugi (blog), March 25, 2013, Lyneoyugi, https://lyneoyugi.wordpress.com/2013/03/25/how-militia-raped-and-tore-me-apart/
  4. “ About DRC: History of the Conflict,” Eastern Congo Initiative (website), http://www.easterncongo.org/about-drc/history-of-the-conflict
  5. “DR Congo: UN Releases Most Extensive Report to Date on War Massacres, Rapes”, October 1, 2010, United Nations News (website), https://news.un.org/en/story/2010/10/354522-dr-congo-un-releases-most-extensive-report-date-war-massacres-rapes
  6. UNFPA, “Secretary-General Calls Attention to Scourge of Sexual Violence in DRC”, March 1, 2009, United Nations Population Funds (website), https://www.unfpa.org/news/secretary-general-calls-attentionscourgesexual-violencedrc
  7. Lyneoyugi, “How Militia Rape me and Tore me Apart,” Lyneoyugi (blog), March 25, 2013, Lyneoyugi, https://lyneoyugi.wordpress.com/2013/03/25/how-militia-raped-and-tore-me-apart/
  8. Nicholas Kristof, “The world Capital of Killing,” February 06, 2010, The New York Times (online), https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/07/opinion/07kristof.html
  9. Aryn Baker, “Survivors of Wartime Rape Are Refusing to Be Silenced,” March 21, 2016, Time Magazine (website), https://time.com/war-and-rape/?xid=homepage
  10. Michelle Lent Hirsch and Lauren Wolfe, “Conflict Profile: Democratic Republic of Cong,” February 08, 2012, Women Media Center WMC (website), http://www.womensmediacenter.com/women-under-siege/conflicts/democratic-republicof-congo#reasons
  11. Office of Special Representative of the Secretary- General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, “Democratic Republic of Congo”, March 29, 2019, United Nations, https://www.un.org/sexualviolenceinconflict/countries/democratic-republic-of-the-congo/.
  12. Lyneoyugi, “How Militia Rape me and Tore me Apart,” Lyneoyugi (blog), March 25, 2013, Lyneoyugi, https://lyneoyugi.wordpress.com/2013/03/25/how-militia-raped-and-tore-me-apart/
  13. Panzi Foundation, “Panzi Hospital: Panzi Today,” Panzi Hospital and Foundation (website), https://www.panzifoundation.org/panzi-hospital
  14. Nicholas Kristof, “The world Capital of Killing,” February 06, 2010, The New York Times (online), https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/07/opinion/07kristof.html
  15. Jane Mukuninwa, “Congo Rising: Why am I Rising for Justice,” One Billion Rising (blog), January 17, 2014,  https://www.onebillionrising.org/4467/rising-justice-jane-mukuninwa/.
  16. Jeanne Mukuninwa,  “Congo Rising: Why am I Rising for Justice,” One Billion Rising (blog), January 17, 2014,  https://www.onebillionrising.org/4467/rising-justice-jane-mukuninwa/.
  17. Jeanne Mukuninwa: Netlfix Documentary, “City of Joy”, November 11, 2016, https://www.netflix.com/uses/title/80203094
  18. “City of Joy,” Last Modified 2019, City of Joy (website), https://www.cityofjoycongo.org/splash/
  19. Aida Rocci, “Jane Mukuninwa Interviewed by Art at Harvard University,” December 2015, The City of Joy (website), https://cityofjoycongo.org/jane-mukuninwa-interviewed-by-art/
  20. Aida Rocci, “Jane Mukuninwa Interviewed by Art at Harvard University”, December 2015, The City of Joy (website), https://cityofjoycongo.org/jane-mukuninwa-interviewed-by-art/
  21. City of Joy, Last Modified 2019, https://www.cityofjoycongo.org/splash/
  22. City of Joy, “Program Philosophy: What Make it Different,” The City of Joy (website), Last Modified 2019, https://cityofjoycongo.org/about-city-of-joy/program-philosophy-makes-different/
  23. City of Joy, Last Modified 2019, https://www.cityofjoycongo.org/splash/
  24. City of Joy, Last Modified 2019, https://www.cityofjoycongo.org/splash/
  25. Aida Rocci, “Jane Mukuninwa Interviewed by Art at Harvard University,” December 2015, The City of Joy (website), https://cityofjoycongo.org/jane-mukuninwa-interviewed-by-art/
  26. Jane Mukuninwa, “Congo Rising: Why am I Rising for Justice,” One Billion Rising (blog), January 17, 2014,  https://www.onebillionrising.org/4467/rising-justice-jane-mukuninwa/.
  27. Aida Rocci, “Jane Mukuninwa Interviewed by Art at Harvard University,”, December 2015, The City of Joy (website), https://cityofjoycongo.org/jane-mukuninwa-interviewed-by-art/

Tags from the story

City of Joy

Democratic Republic of Congo

Dr Denis Mukwege

Jane (Jeanne) Mukuninwa

rape

Wilzave Quiles Guzman

I am an International and Global Studies major with a minor in Environmental Science and a certification in Public Health. I am attending St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas and I will be graduating in the class of 2022. I am from Camuy, Puerto Rico and I love to interact with nature. My career goal is to work with environmental global issues that affect developing countries like water scarcity.

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Recent Comments

Kayla Sultemeier

This seems like a truly unimaginable time to live. These poor girls have gone through the worst events, and are expected to continue trekking on. I do not think that we give enough credit to organizations like City of Love. They showed these women what a home was after being rejected from their communities purely due to reasons that were entirely out of their control. It is sad that these are the organizations that fail to get any government funding considering everything that they do to make these women whole again. I believe that City of Love holds a strong parallel to the American Planned Parenthood that also fails to get recognition for all that they do for women’s health.

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21/09/2020

10:01 am

Allison Grijalva

This article was beautifully written! I especially loved reading about Jane’s story. It made my heart heavy, but inspired me so much. Your article gives insight into who the true victims of war end up being: the innocent. It is so important to remember that the victims of conflict are not just numbers, but humans with names and compelling stories of their own.

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27/09/2020

10:01 am

Erin Vento

Although the story had a happy ending, it truly is heartbreaking and displays the among the worst actions people can do to each other. I was so glad to get to the end of this article and find out about the City of Joy; after everything Jeanna and the other women went through,- I wish there was a better word than atrocities- they deserve a safe haven and to feel empowered.

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11/10/2020

10:01 am

Raul Colunga

For a while now the Democratic Republic of Congo has seen violence throughout its country. I believe that one of the reasons for that is the sheer number of ethnic groups in the country. Having so many different groups is bound to cause problems and one of them is sexual violence as highlighted in this article. Thank you for bringing this tragedy to light.

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09/02/2021

10:01 am

Sherisa Orozco

This was a very descriptive and moving story! I was immediately shocked by the sexual violence in the DRC and the work that was pushed among the people’s constant struggles these women had to go through. It was sadly eye-opening to read about the horrible experiences of rape used as a war weapon. The story of the girls is so inspiring yet heartbreaking because of what they have gone through but were able to survive many hardships.

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21/02/2021

10:01 am

Eva Lizarraga

The experiences that Jane went through sound truly terrifying and heartbreaking, yet full of beauty as she was able to recover and find her home, her peace. It is a reminder of the horrors and miracles that take place in our world, the battle between good and evil. After reading this article, I’m inspired to watch the Netflix documentary to learn more about her life and the lives of the other survivors. Thank you, Wilzave, for sharing Jane’s story with us!

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23/02/2021

10:01 am

Carlos Cortes

This was a very descriptive article that helped shine light into a topic that that is not really talked about but was a big problem and there are still have after effects. I really like the reference and description that you brought up of how rape is a weapon, although it is not high tech or something we think about when we think about a war. Rape is a weapon and something that is inhuman and something that really affects the person for the rest of their lives.

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07/03/2021

10:01 am

Sara Alvirde

It is so devasting and heartbreaking to hear Jeanne’s situation and her conflicts throughout her life, there is no doubt that she is a strong brave woman. It is so sad to hear how common rape in DRC and how much it affected these women’s life when it was not even their fault in the first place. Im glad to hear that these women have a safe haven in the City of Joy where women of the same background and situation could come together and support each other for their conflicts.

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19/03/2021

10:01 am

Grace Frey

Thank you, Wilzave, for writing such a powerful and important article. I know it must have been difficult to research in depth the atrocities committed towards these women, children, and men. Rape and sexual violation as a weapon of war is something that is not discussed nearly enough; there needs to be more foundations like the City of Joy to help those who have been affected by sexual violence. It is tragic that in nations of transition that these types of atrocities are more likely to happen, due to the absence of institutions put in place that protect the vulnerable or prevent war from happening in the first place.

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23/03/2021

10:01 am

Danielle Slaughter

Hey, Wilzave. For as long as wars have been fought, often rape has been a weapon of war against civilians. But as you quoted in your article, it is not a weapon meant to kill — that would be too kind. It is intended to inflict long-lasting scars on the community at large, and inspire terror in its inhabitants. Unfortunately, sexual violence still persists in unstable, developing nations such as the DRC, but it is wonderful to read of organizations such as City of Joy working to change these women’s lives.

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30/03/2021

10:01 am

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