Women vs. Violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo
She could not fight back when they kidnapped her two sisters and took them to the forest to be kept as soldiers' sex slaves.
Chance ran away for her life.
She could not fight back when two months later the same militia invaded the house of her aunt and uncle.
Chance could not fight back when those same soldiers raped her.
Now she is fighting against grief and shame, battling against the odds to heal and rebuild her life.
New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof recently went to Congo and returned with Chance's story, telling readers about how she and other survivors of her country's horrific civil war get much-needed psychological and medical help from the International Rescue Committee.
But we must prevent this kind of brutality before it happens. Will you help us fight back for Chance and other women and girls like her?
Please urge Congressional leaders to support the International Violence Against Women Act.
This legislation would make ending violence against women a diplomatic priority for the first time in U.S. history. The bill would require the U.S. government to respond to critical outbreaks of gender-based violence in armed conflict -- including those in Congo. It would invest in local women's organizations overseas that are successfully reducing violence in their communities. And it would help provide resources for economic opportunities that would help lift women and their families out of poverty.
In honor of International Women's Day this Monday, March 8, show your support of women and girls like Chance: join the fight against violence by signing our petition now.
We will update you on this legislation's progress.
Thank you for this important step to protect women and girls.
Published by George Rupp - President of the International Rescue Committee
George Rupp became president of the International Rescue Committee on July 1, 2002. For the previous nine years, Dr. Rupp was president of Columbia University. During his tenure, he focused on enhancing und... View profile
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2 Comments
Post a CommentIt doesn't do any good to counsel someone unless you remove them from the dangerous situation
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