News: Rape as a Weapon of War
Jun. 19th, 2008 09:06 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
stinglikeabeeBBC News: The UN Security Council has voted unanimously in favour of a resolution classifying rape as a weapon of war.
The UN News Centre article is here.
This is undoubtedly good news. For too long women have been targeted deliberately in warfare -- from the Congo (see this last post) to Rwanda to the Balkans. According to the article, 40 women are raped every day in the Congo; some have alledged to be raped by the same peacekeepers sent to protect them!
Although the UN does not have much power in preventing the use of rape to specifically destroy communities during times of conflict, it's still a step well needed. Rape destroys communities by targeting those who are its backbone: women. They may contract diseases such as HIV, as well as further physical complications. Their male relatives who may be tormented by guilt and at their inability to protect, could even direct this pain into ostracising the victims. Sadly, even the children born of war can cause their mothers further pain.
Next June an official inquiry will be made to determine how widespread this tactic is in warfare. The UN already agree the use of rape as a weapon may 'threaten international peace and stability'. Now, it is my fervent hope this resolution will lead to more countries stepping in sooner to protect the innocents.
The UN News Centre article is here.
This is undoubtedly good news. For too long women have been targeted deliberately in warfare -- from the Congo (see this last post) to Rwanda to the Balkans. According to the article, 40 women are raped every day in the Congo; some have alledged to be raped by the same peacekeepers sent to protect them!
Although the UN does not have much power in preventing the use of rape to specifically destroy communities during times of conflict, it's still a step well needed. Rape destroys communities by targeting those who are its backbone: women. They may contract diseases such as HIV, as well as further physical complications. Their male relatives who may be tormented by guilt and at their inability to protect, could even direct this pain into ostracising the victims. Sadly, even the children born of war can cause their mothers further pain.
Next June an official inquiry will be made to determine how widespread this tactic is in warfare. The UN already agree the use of rape as a weapon may 'threaten international peace and stability'. Now, it is my fervent hope this resolution will lead to more countries stepping in sooner to protect the innocents.
