There is no mistaking the massacre memorials found on the sides of roads in almost every village in eastern DRC. These memorials serve as a reminder of the horrors that have taken place in this country. There is something missing, however. These sites often neglect to mention the war waged on women’s bodies.
As stated in a previous blog posting, the wars that have ravaged Eastern DRC have killed approximately 6.9 million people. While the number of sexual violence cases is undoubtedly underreported due to the stigma that faces sexual assault victims, the UN Population Fund estimates that the number of sexual assault cases in Eastern DRC exceeded 15,275 in 2009 alone. Despite the seemingly ubiquitous presence of sexual violence in eastern DRC since the wars began, women’s stories are seldom heard, and their plight is seldom recognized. Instead of taking a stand and declaring that women share a common experience, women here are forced to keep their experiences with rape to themselves. Survivors of sexual violence cannot seek comfort from each other and often receive the punishing treatment of societal marginalization.
Relief can be found in Fizi territory for a lucky few. SOS FED beneficiaries have received counseling, therapy, and the much-needed community many lost thanks to the center. Women know that they are in a safe space and can share their experiences with one another. They also know that acknowledging their sexual assault is a step in the healing process.
The Ahadi quilt aims to provide survivors of sexual violence a forum with which to acknowledge their attacks, denounce their attackers and obtain a manner of therapy. With an embroidered image on a tile, Ahadi participants will educate, advocate, and empower themselves and other women with stories similar to their own. Many participants plan to use their tile space to tell the world, in their own words, their stories of rape survival and the continuing challenges facing survivors of sexual violence in eastern DRC. SOS FED beneficiaries in particular, and Congolese sexual violence survivors in general, will finally have a memorial of their own.
Last week, after many weeks of planning, SOS FED Staff, Ned, and I held the final meeting before the tiles were given to beneficiaries. Ahadi has begun. I anxiously await the results knowing that SOS FED beneficiaries have a way to advocate for themselves, not just in South Kivu, but throughout the world.
this is so wonderful! My heart goes out to you and all your artists!