Abuse is rife, with hospitals sometimes refusing to carry out rape examinations without payment, but a charity is training survivors how to, literally, rebuild their lives
The Union of Compassionate Hearts teaches female victims of sexual abuse in the DRC how to work in the construction industry. Picture: 123RF/GABRIELA BERTOLINI
The scheme is the brainchild of Lauren Muntu Kintadi, who wanted to help single mothers and other women in need to find paid work, and realised there was a demand for building. “My aim is to find a job after the training. I know this can help me and my baby,” she said as she worked on a project to decorate a private home in Goma, her young daughter playing a few metres away.
Many of the women are victims of sexual and domestic violence; others simply desperate for work in a country where employers often discriminate against women in general — and mothers in particular. “What they see in this initiative is the chance to re-integrate into society after being humiliated and rejected by their the community,” said Muntu Kintadi, who set up the Union of Compassionate Hearts charity in 2018.Sexual violence against women and girls in the DRC is widespread, according to the UN, which says more than half have suffered from domestic violence or marital rape.
Survivors are often put off reporting crimes because it is a complex process and because of the stigma attached, and human rights activists say justice is rare. In some cases hospitals refuse admittance without a police order, or demand money to carry out a rape examination, said Christelle Vuanga, president of the national human rights commission.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Congolese abuse survivors rebuild lives, brick by brickThe scheme is the brainchild of Lauren Muntu Kintadi, 36, who wanted to help single mothers and other women in need to find paid work, and realised there was a demand for building.
Read more »
Joburg addict's 'hell and back' journey to recovery laid bare in new bookFrom experiencing sexual, emotional and mental abuse at the hands of her stepfather and losing her mother to suicide, to turning to drugs and alcohol to numb the pain of her troubled childhood, the Joburg-born woman has lived a painful life.
Read more »
Court puts a stop to two men's life of crimeA life of crime riddled with rape, robbery, kidnapping and housebreaking came to an end for two Mpumalanga men when they were sentenced to multiple life terms.
Read more »
Integrated: A new way of living for a new world | CitypressIntegrated: A new way of living for a new world A wave of live-work-learn residential developments is ushering in a new age of integrated living that has community and programmed facility spaces at its core
Read more »
Court puts a stop to two men's life of crimeA life of crime riddled with rape, robbery, kidnapping and housebreaking came to an end for two Mpumalanga men when they were sentenced to multiple life terms.
Read more »
The week in picturesBlack Lives Matter clashes in the US and protests outside parliament in Cape Town
Read more »