SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN ARMED CONFLICT INCREASES THE RISK OF HIV/AIDS

·         The HIV virus is spreading fast in the DRC. Unlike many other countries in southern Africa, there is no reliable data about the exact prevalence of the disease. There are many risk factors though, such as high rates of sexual violence, population displacement caused by war and lack of access to preventative health care, that suggest that the global AIDS epidemic is beginning to hit the DRC hard (Médecins Sans Frontières/ 2004).

·         In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, HIV prevalence rates are estimated to be between 1.7 to 7.6% depending on the region, and may be as high as 20% among women who have suffered sexual violence in areas of armed conflict (Department of International Development, March 2007).

·         Women account for more than half (57%) of adults estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS in the DRC (UNAIDS, 2004 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic, July 2004).

·         HIV prevalence is high among young people in the DRC, especially young women. Among those ages 15-24, the estimated number of young women living with HIV/AIDS was almost twice that of young men (UNAIDS, Youth and HIV/AIDS: Opportunity in Crisis, 2002).

·         Years of war in DRC, have completely decimated the health system in the country and national investment in AIDS treatment is a major priority. The Global Fund has dedicated $35 million to AIDS care over the next two year in DRC. But more money is needed. ARV drugs costs $29 per month - well out of reach of most Congolese (Médecins Sans Frontières/ 2004).

·         Rape increases the risk of HIV/AIDS transmission significantly because forced sexual intercourse is accompanied by injuries and bleeding which enhances transmission of the virus as compared to during consensual sex.  Physical injury from sexual violence can be very serious, especially in young girls.  It was recently estimated that the HIV prevalence in South Kivu could reach 20 per cent. Sexual violence is likely to have been a significant contributory factor to this increase (Dr Francois Lepira, director of the national programme against AIDS, quoted by the United Nations Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN) on the 5th of  November, 2003 and re-printed by Médecins Sans Frontières).

PERSONAL STORIES SHARPEN THE LENS AND BRING STATISTICS TO LIFE

Survivors Seek Solace (Excerpt)
By Jackie Martens/ BBC
Democratic Republic of Congo

Kahindo Ndasimwa, dressed in little more than rags, told of how militia attacked her village one night two years ago, forcing her to flee into the bush. The 40-year-old was then repeatedly raped by four men - their legacy, a continual stream of urine down her legs.

Bahati Ndasimwa, a 24-year-old with a round friendly face - but eyes that told of torture - said she was raped by too many men to count. Her community then also rejected her.

Furaha Mapendo was staked to the ground with her legs splayed by 10 men, who then had their way with her. With her eyes staring fixedly at the ground, the 24-year-old told of how the men pushed sticks and various objects into her for an entire night, six years ago.

These women all suffer from vaginal fistula, a medical condition found in countries with poor health infrastructure, which is usually a result of poor childbirth care. In this part of the world, it is caused by violent rape. The walls between the vagina, bladder and anus are torn, resulting in severe pain and debilitating incontinence.

Vumi suffers from incontinence, and cannot sit down because of the pain- the result of a horrific rape incident. "The attack happened at night, and we were forced to flee into the bush," she said, in a voice barely more than a whisper. "Four men took me. They all raped me. At that time I was nine months pregnant." "They gang-raped me and pushed sticks up my vagina - that's when my baby died - they said it was better than killing me." The men then stole her few belongings and her community, unable to live with the smell, shunned her. Now she hopes only to be healed.

 

 

There is an urgent need for identifying, testing and implementing effective strategies for integrating programs that address both violence against women and HIV prevention and AIDS treatment and care in conflict settings. The challenges of doing this are immense as immediate needs for food, shelter and security often take precedence over addressing other health concerns (Department of Gender, Women and Health (GWH), published by WHO, 2004).