By Philippe Lolonga March 9, 2021/Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo Mother Anunga Beatrice, an advocate for women’s rights who overcame childhood poverty, told the gathering that women in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been raped or killed by armed men. Anunga, the coordinator of United Methodist Women in the church’s Kivu Annual Conference, encourages all women to overcome their fear and denounce any case of violence against women’s rights in their areas. “If

Bibiche and I met about a year ago, during the “Women Arise from Stigma” workshop at the United Methodist Episcopal offices in Kindu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. She was one of three women who shared their story about being sexually assaulted and then rejected by her family. She was raped at 14 years of age when she left home to get food for the family. Four men abducted her and took her to the forest where they raped her until they heard others coming near. Left alone,

Machozi (meaning “tears”) came to the Mama Lynn Center at only 14 years old – an orphan and one of the youngest victims to show up at the Center. The Women Arise from Stigma workshop had just finished when I walked outside and met her. Now part of the second official class at the Center, Machozi sits tentatively by another 14-year old whose wounds are so pronounced, she has only been able to walk again recently. Here, they both will learn that they are “God’s beloved. Nothing

Written by Judith Osongo Yanga, edited by Quinn Needham. Horrific acts of war have ravaged the provinces and peoples of Kivu. At the center of these terrors lies the manipulation of sexual violence against women and children as a weapon of domestic destruction. Since stigmatization of rape victims remains commonplace throughout the region, survivors of these gruesome assaults are often abandoned by their husbands and families. Additionally, many women and young girls have bee

New Hope During these past few weeks, it seems like everything in Nashville is just beginning to bloom. White blossoms adorn the Bradford pears, the grass is green and lush, and a cluster of yellow daffodils have emerged in front of my mailbox. The sunshine provides a stark contrast to the cold, gray winter behind us. With Easter season still on the mind, I reflect on the symbolism that these signs of spring offer for new life and for hope—themes that also run deeply in the w

written by Judith Osongo Yanga (français) March is a special month dedicated to women worldwide. The Congolese woman and The United Methodist Church, in particular, are pleased with March 8 each year. The situation of the woman in our country, especially the eastern part of the Congo, presents some challenges. The country’s situation exposes the eastern Congo woman, bringing us many cases of rape of women and children in this part of the country. “Coordination of women throug

Several friends contacted me yesterday to share NPR’s story, “Attempts To Address Rape In Congo Produced Unintended Consequences.” I’ve worked for the last several years with The United Methodist Church throughout the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and wanted to share my thoughts. A Bigger Problem It’s never a good idea Chameleons are often made in dire situations…people become who you want them to be, when they are living in chronic hopelessness. This is the human conditi

Stigmatization of rape victims happens the world over. Survivors face harmful words of those who want to lay blame at their feet. But in East Congo, women who suffered at the hands of rebels and soldiers were thrown out of their homes and, as Germain Mupasa said, “treated worse than dogs.” A new communications campaign that reframes “victims” as “survivors” is beginning to take shape – aimed at giving women renewed access to society that has previously shunned them. Working w

Each story was unique, yet similar, in the horrors shared and the heartbreak that followed. Georgette still doesn’t know if her then-15- Judith Yanga, Director of Communications, East Congo Episcopal Area Although I only met Georgette last week, it was this kind of story that motivated the creation of “A Plea to My Father.” Last November, I talked with Judith Yanga who is the director of communications for the East Congo Episcopal Area about communication resources that could