Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bukavu (Fides Service) - The Justice and Peace Commission of the Catholic archdiocese of Bukavu in Democratic Congo has undertaken to promote information with regard to a new law on sexual abuse.
The initiative announced on March 8 International Women’s Day started in Catholic schools on 28 February according to the local DIA news agency.
Sexual abuse of women and girls in Congo is widespread especially in the areas of civil conflict like east Congo where dozens of armed militia have been attacking defenceless civilians for years. Women exploited, raped, mutilated, infect with the HIV virus are always the first victims (see ides 27 October 2004).
Until recently there was no law against these crimes in Congo. At last in July 2006 thanks to activity of various women MPs a law was passed but it still needs to be publicised and explained particularly among women, the main victims who need protection. The law treats with various forms of abuse, corruption of minors, incitement to prostitution, sexual slavery, rape, forced marriage, sexual mutilation, deliberate transmission of sexual diseases, forced abortion and sterilisation, prostitution of minors.
The Justice and Peace Commission of Bukavu says this is a good law which can give positive impulse to correct sexuality morality in Congo but there must be common effort to apply it. To fight sexual abuse, the Commission says, everyone must feel involved, the police, judicial authorities, and the victims who must be helped and encouraged to denounce their aggresors. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 8/3/2007 righe 32 parole 353)
