By Laura Husak
In 1994, a civil war began in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Democratic Republic of the Congo 1). Beginning with the flood of millions of refugees trying to escape the genocide in neighbouring Rwanda, the Congolese army and the Hutus militia have been fighting for power over the Congo ever since (Salbi 60). Guns, grenades, bombs, and an unconventional weapon: women are used to take down the enemy (Crisis in the Congo). Rape is used as a “weapon of war” (Crisis in the Congo).
In this paper I will discuss how Women for Women International (WfWI), a women’s rights and humanitarian organization, empowers women both locally in the Congo and internationally to raise awareness and support for female rape survivors in the Congo. I will begin by outlining WfWI as an organization, specifically looking at their mission and structure. Secondly, I will discuss why WfWI specifically work in the Congo, two of the main reasons being the use of rape as a “weapon of war” and the stigmatization attached to rape that leads many women to be abandoned by their families and communities (Crisis in the Congo). I will then go on to discuss how WfWI empowers Congolese women locally by providing vocational and business skills training, a space for dissent, and engaging both females and males in norm promotion. Lastly, I will discuss how WfWI involves women from the international community to support female rape victims in the Congo. WfWI does so by personalizing the issue, utilizing celebrity diplomacy, appealing to the interests of possible WfWI sponsors, and by providing the international community with specific initiatives for their involvement. In conclusion, I will discuss possible ways that WfWI can improve their work both in the Congo and internationally.
Who are Women for Women International?
Mission
WfWI was founded in 1993 by Zainbab Salbi, an Iraqi-American who, growing up under Saddam Hussain’s oppressive regime saw firsthand women who were socially marginalized (About Us). Salbi’s goal when creating WfWI was and is still to help women in war-torn regions rebuild their lives by providing them with financial and emotional aid, job-skills training, rights education, and income-generation assistance (2010 DRC Report). WfWI has permanent offices in Washington, D.C. and London, England (Shannon 37) and currently has field offices in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Kosovo, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Sudan (2010 DRC Report 0).
Structure
Although WfWI has a hierarchal structure, starting with the founder and CEO Zainbab Salbi, the Board of Directors, then Country Directors, there is a strong emphasis on grassroots involvement (About Us). Each country director must be a citizen of that particular country and all volunteers and workers in the field offices must also be residents of that specific country (About Us). In terms of funding, WfWI do not have any government ties so they receive all of their funding from individual contributions, through gifting and monthly sponsorship, and corporate sponsorship (About Us). Donations go mainly towards WfWI participants themselves, paying for both the basic necessities of program participants and the program itself (About Us). To this date, WfWI has spent $89 million in direct aid, program services, and micro-credit loans (WfWI DR Congo Programs 1).
Why Women for Women International Works in the Congo
WfWI specifically works in the Congo to address the use of rape as a “weapon of war” and the stigmatization of rape that leads to the abandonment of vast numbers of women by their families and communities (Crisis in the Congo).
Rape as a “weapon of war”
Congolese women of all ages and locations are vulnerable to rape (Crisis in the Congo). In the past, victims have been as young as three and as old as 75 and came from both rural and urban areas (2010 DRC Report 5). Rape is used as a “weapon of war” for four reasons. Firstly, rape is a means of disgracing the enemy (The Greatest Silence). Prior to the war, Congolese law stated that rape was a crime of honour against a husband because it meant that he could not protect his wife (Salbi 63). Secondly, soldiers rape Congolese women to fulfill their sexual desires (The Greatest Silence). One soldier was quoted as saying, “We have been suffering in the forest that is why we rape women” (The Greatest Silence). Thirdly, soldiers rape women, especially those of Batwa ethnicity, because there is a superstition that it will give them strength in battle (Salbi 62). One soldier explains that “You’ve got to rape women in order to overcome the enemies” and that it is “patriotic” to be raped (The Greatest Silence). Finally, some young soldiers believe that raping a woman allows them to move faster through the levels of military command (Salbi 62).
The Stigmatization of Rape
Traditional Congolese gender roles say that women are supposed to remain virgins until marriage and if they are married they are only allowed to have sex with their husbands (Crisis in the Congo). No exceptions are allowed even if women are unwillingly forced to have sex with men (Crisis in the Congo). Breaking the gender roles, rape victims, who are characterized as “whores” and “prostitutes,” are abandoned by their families and are often forced to earn their own livelihoods for the first time in their lives (Failure to Protect 2). It is difficult for the majority of Congolese women to earn a livelihood because they lack skills, education, and support (Failure to Protect 2). A WfWI survey of 100 Congolese women estimates that 42 have never attended school and 77 earn $1 US or less a day (2010 DRC Report 5). WfWI work in the Congo in order to help abandoned rape victims rebuild their lives.
Empowering Women in the Congo
WfWI empowers Congolese women through vocational and business skills training, providing Congolese women with a space for dissent, and engaging Congolese women and men in norm promotion.
Vocational and Business Skills Training
WfWI offers a one-year vocational and business skills training program in hopes that program participants will be able to take the skills that they have learned and use them to earn an income in support of themselves and their children (DRC Main Page). Tie-dying, ceramics production, agricultural techniques, culinary arts, and soap making are some of the skill areas taught in the vocational skills part of WfWI’s program (DRC Main Page).
The business skills portion of the WfWI program provides women with knowledge that allows them to open their own business upon graduation (Programs). Women learn the concept of saving money and the basics of business planning, which includes lessons about the market economy (Programs). Increasing women’s knowledge of the market economy is crucial for women to run a successful business because many of these women have only worked in subsistence economies (Programs). Other major topics of the business portion include selling, which includes information about customer behaviour and how to increase customer traffic, bookkeeping, and financing a business, which includes learning the importance of credit and paying back loans (Programs).
Providing Congolese Women with a Space for Dissent
Many rape victims remain silent because they fear stigmatization or retaliation on their lives (The Greatest Silence). Jeannette, who went to a Congolese International Women’s Day Conference to speak of her rape, could not return home until months afterwards because authorities, armed with her picture, had warrants out for her arrest (Salbi 78). WfWI empowers rape victims by allowing women to break their silence, providing them with a space for dissent. The WfWI program groups, consisting of approximately 20 to 25 women each, function as confidential support and safety networks (Programs). Program participants are able to share information and life experiences and solve problems together without the fear of retaliation or judgement (Programs). 92% of women who have gone through WfWI programming believe that they were presented with the opportunity to create friendships and express themselves (DRC Main Page).
Engaging Congolese Women and Men in Norm Promotion
WfWI empowers Congolese women and their communities through norm promotion, specifically gender norm promotion. Currently, women are discriminated against: women’s work is viewed as less valuable than men’s work and existing legislation prohibits women from controlling assets, property, and even their own incomes (Programs). Firstly, WfWI programming teaches Congolese women about their rights. 90% of women claim to be aware of their rights and have gone on to teach other women after completing the program (2010 DRC Report 36). However, a potential roadblock to achieving greater respect for women in the community is the problem of enforcing new norms. Congolese women can learn about their rights all they want but according to DRC Country Director, Christine Karumba, “it takes men to stop rape in the Congo” (WfWI DR Congo Programs 2). In response to this potential problem of enforcement, WfWI has created a Men’s Leadership Program (WfWI DR Congo Programs 2).
The goal of the Men’s Leadership Program is to “work with influential male community leaders to raise awareness about the importance of women’s rights and their contributions to the community and economy” (WfWI DR Congo Programs 2). Male leaders from traditionally male-dominated areas such as the government, religious groups, and the military are invited to participate in the program as they have greater platform to reach out to other men in the community (WfWI Programming 2). Topics discussed in the Men’s Leadership Program include: post-war community re-building, violence against women, reproductive and family health, and women’s community participation (Engaging Men to Protect and Empower Women 1). WfWI tries to re-frame the issue of women’s empowerment to community empowerment, saying that women re-invest 90% of their incomes back into the family and community whereas men only re-invest 30 to 40 percent (2010 DRC Report 26). To this date, approximately 2000 men have been trained through WfWI’s Men’s Leadership Program (Engaging Men to Protect and Empower Women 2).
Empowering Women Internationally
WfWI empowers women internationally to raise awareness and support for female victims of rape in the Congo by personalizing the issue, engaging in celebrity diplomacy, appealing to potential sponsor’s interests, and by providing specific initiatives for international involvement.
Personalization
It is really easy for women internationally to feel a disconnect with female rape victims from the Congo when they are only provided with statistics. WfWI’s website personalizes the issue by featuring pictures of the Congolese program participants and facilities and a map of Africa to show website users exactly where the Congo is located (DRC Main Page). The WfWI website also features a testimonial from a rape survivor named Lucienne (DRC Main Page). Lucienne is a single mother of three children who after she was raped, was shunned by her family and community (DRC Main Page). By providing details such as that Lucienne was a mother, WfWI hopes that women will relate to her story and then feel compelled to sponsor her or another program participant. The “Country factsheet,” also on the website, features a section titled, “A Day in the Life” of a typical Congolese woman (Democratic Republic of the Congo). It describes how the typical Congolese woman will wake up early to pray, prepare breakfast, clean the house, and then go to work (Democratic Republic of the Congo). This day does not sound much different from a typical day of a Canadian or American woman. Once again, WfWI hopes that readers will feel a connection and be drawn to donate to their organization.
It is really easy for women internationally to feel a disconnect with female rape victims from the Congo when they are only provided with statistics. WfWI’s website personalizes the issue by featuring pictures of the Congolese program participants and facilities and a map of Africa to show website users exactly where the Congo is located (DRC Main Page). The WfWI website also features a testimonial from a rape survivor named Lucienne (DRC Main Page). Lucienne is a single mother of three children who after she was raped, was shunned by her family and community (DRC Main Page). By providing details such as that Lucienne was a mother, WfWI hopes that women will relate to her story and then feel compelled to sponsor her or another program participant. The “Country factsheet,” also on the website, features a section titled, “A Day in the Life” of a typical Congolese woman (Democratic Republic of the Congo). It describes how the typical Congolese woman will wake up early to pray, prepare breakfast, clean the house, and then go to work (Democratic Republic of the Congo). This day does not sound much different from a typical day of a Canadian or American woman. Once again, WfWI hopes that readers will feel a connection and be drawn to donate to their organization.
Celebrity Diplomacy
WfWI has worked with a number of celebrities included Oprah Winfrey, Ashley Judd, Anderson Cooper of CNN, and Queen Rania of Jordan (WfWI Global Ambassador). Anderson Cooper, in particular, filmed a portion of his 60 minutes segment, “Crisis in the Congo: War Against Women”, at the WfWI program offices (Crisis in the Congo: War Against Women). Cooper speaks with WfWI program participants asking them what it is like to be a participant in WfWI programming and how WfWI is helping them improve their lives (Crisis in the Congo: War Against Women). “Crisis in the Congo: War Against Women” firstly, raises awareness about violence against women in the Congo and secondly, Cooper’s celebrity endorsement of WfWI creates added credibility which leads to increases in both corporate and personal sponsorship.
On a January 24, 2005 taping of her show, Oprah Winfrey featured a 20-minute segment about WfWI and rape in the Congo (Shannon 36). Oprah began the show by saying, “During World War II, a lot of people pretended not to know what was going on. Well, there’s another holocaust. This time, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. And if you are like most people, you probably had no idea” (Shannon 36). This statement firstly, raises awareness about rape in the Congo, and secondly, uses language, describing rape in the Congo as a second holocaust, that is meant to shock people into action. At the end of the episode, Oprah says, “Now that you know, you can’t pretend you didn’t hear it” (Shannon 37). This statement emphasizes the urgency of action needed. As a result of the show, 6, 000 women signed up to sponsor a Congolese woman through WfWI, one of the women being Lisa J. Shannon, who later went on to organize WfWI’s Run for Congo Women (Shannon 48). Today, Run for Congo Women takes places in ten US states and four countries around the world. Women participants in the run ask for sponsorship with all proceeds going to WfWI (Shannon 48).
Appealing to Sponsor Interests
Women for Women International effectively appeals to potential sponsors in the business community. WfWI say that sponsorship will help companies build a future consumer base (FAQ). They say that economically empowered women have more money to spend on themselves and their families which means that they will create markets that did not previously exist (FAQ). WfWI also say that corporate partnership will help companies build brand equity in a new market (FAQ). They say by investing in women, companies can enhance their reputation and brand name in local markets (FAQ). In response to “why social responsibility matters,” WfWI states that if companies show they care, 85% of consumers will have a more positive image of their company (FAQ). Caring can drive sales. 59% of people are more likely to buy products from a company that is connected to a charitable organization (FAQ). WfWI says that partnership is also a way of engaging employees (FAQ). 97% of employees from companies involved in charities feel a sense of loyalty whereas only 61% of employees feel a sense of loyalty with companies not connected to a charitable organization (FAQ).
Providing Initiatives for International Involvement
WfWI makes campaigning against rape in the Congo more attainable by providing initiative for both business community and civil society involvement.
In terms of initiatives for the business community, WfWI suggests cause-related marketing, event sponsorship, consumer donations, product partnership, product sourcing, and encouraging employee sponsorship of WfWI (Get Involved). Cause-related marketing and event sponsorship are self-explanatory but consumer donations would involve encouraging customers to add a donation to WfWI onto their purchase amount, product partnership involves donating a portion of proceeds from a select product to WfWI, and product sourcing involves selling products made by WfWI program participants (Get Involved). Encouraging employee sponsorship of WfWI could mean taking off a set amount from each employee paycheque and donating that money to WfWI or agreeing to match every donation given by employees (Get Involved).
In terms of civil society involvement, women are encouraged to sponsor a Congolese woman (Get Involved). The only way Congolese women can be enrolled in WfWI programming is if they have received direct sponsorship from an international “sister” (Get Involved). Sponsorship includes making payments of $27 US per month plus a one time, sponsor enrolment fee of $30 US (Get Involved). A portion of this monthly financial support is given directly to the WfWI participant so that she can purchase basic needs for herself and her family and the rest goes to WfWI to pay for her programming (Get Involved). Becoming a “sister” also involves monthly letter writing (Get Involved). Letter writing is a way of providing a Congolese woman with emotional support during her time of need (Get Involved). Gifting is another way that women internationally can financially support WfWI, without the obligation of letter writing (Get Involved).
Other suggestions for civil society involvement include hosting or attending a WfWI event, purchasing products made by WfWI participants, volunteering at WfWI offices, forming a WfWI campus chapter, sending a WfWI e-card to family and friends, and participating in the Run for Congo Women (Get Involved). In particular, WfWI makes event hosting easy by providing possible hosts with all necessary materials for an event via womenforwomen.org (Get Involved). Materials provided include: videos, talking points, a press advisory kit, brochures, story cards, sign-up sheets for guests who would like to receive more information about WfWI, and power-point presentations (Get Involved).
Conclusion and Recommendations
Congolese women are chief victims of the ongoing civil conflict between the Congolese army and Hutus militia as rape is used as a “weapon of war” (Crisis in the Congo). Faced with the stigmatization attached to rape, Congolese women are left abandoned without the skills, education, or support required to achieve their own livelihoods (Failure to Protect 2). WfWI is one of the NGOs working with women rape survivors in the Congo trying to help women rebuild their lives by providing vocational and business skills training, a space for dissent, and engaging Congolese women and men in norm promotion. WfWI empowers the international community to also help Congolese female rape survivors rebuild their lives by personalizing the issue, utilizing celebrity diplomacy, and providing initiatives for international involvement. Below are recommendations of how WfWI can improve their services to both rape survivors in the Congo and to members of the international community.
Improving Services in the Congo
One way in which WfWI can improve their services in DRC is to expand their services to include youth programming. Both women and young girls suffer from sexual violence. According to 60 minutes’ “Crisis in the Congo: War Against Women,” girls as young as three have been raped (Crisis in the Congo). Even young girls who have not been raped find themselves in need of support in that if they were born after the beginning of the war, they most likely have not attended school (The Greatest Silence). Young girls would benefit greatly from lessons on rights awareness, basic literacy and numeracy, and well-being.
WfWI must also be careful that they are not re-victimizing their program participants by allowing such open media access to their program offices. 60 minutes’ “Crisis in the Congo: War Against Women” and Lisa F. Jackson’s The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo are only a few examples of media productions filmed at WfWI. Congolese women may feel as if they are being re-victimized when they are asked by the media to repeatedly tell their stories. Also, bringing cameras into the program offices is somewhat an invasion of privacy as many of these women are going through traumatic times of their lives and may not want to be filmed. WfWI must ensure that all women feel comfortable with media visitation, not just a select few. WfWI must put the well-being of the program participants above their desire to publicize their organization.
Improving Services Internationally
Although Women for Women claim to be an international organization, there still could be some improvement. Firstly, home offices for WfWI are only located in Washington, D.C. and London, England (About Us). I am surprised that more affiliate organization have not popped up around the world. Secondly, sometimes it is hard for the international community to get involved in terms of monetary involvement. All of donations made to WfWI must be paid in either US dollars or British pounds so the exchange rate could a problem for women in some countries (Get Involved). Also, the only way that people can purchase products made by WfWI program participants is if they shop at in-person store locations that are in partnership with WfWI. WfWI should look into implementing an on-line store for their products to increase their consumer base.
WfWI also suffers from a funding problem. Their separation from the state is great in the fact that WfWI have less people to be accountable to but it also means that they have less funding. Lack of funding is a problem because Congolese women can only enter WfWI programming after they have received sponsorship (Get Involved). “Crisis in the Congo: War against Women” shows line-ups of hundreds of Congolese women waiting for entry into the WfWI program, some of these women even travelling for up to a month through the forest to reach WfWI program offices (Crisis in the Congo: War against Women). WfWI need to find ways to increase their funding in order to meet the ever increasing demand for entry into their programming (Crisis in the Congo: War against Women).
Works Cited
“About Us.” WomenforWomen.org. Women for Women International, n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2011.
“Crisis in the Congo: War Against Women.” 60 Minutes. Anderson Cooper. CBS. 14 Aug. 2008.
“Democratic Republic of the Congo.” Women for Women International. Unknown. 17 Feb. 2011.
“DRC Main Page.” WomenforWomen.org, n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2011. .
“Engaging Men to Protect and Empower Women.” Women for Women International. Unknown. 17 Feb. 2011.
“Failure to Protect: The Women of Eastern Congo Speak.” Women for Women International.
“FAQ.” WomenforWomen.org, n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2011.
“Get Involved.” WomenforWomen.org, n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2011. < http://www.womenforwomen.org /help-women/help-women-globally.php>.
“Programs.” WomenforWomen.org. Women for Women International, n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2011.
Salbi, Zainbab. The Other Side of War: Women’s Stories of Survival & Hope. Ed. Laurie Becklund. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society, 2006.
Shannon, Lisa J. A thousand sisters: my journey into the worst place on earth to be a woman. Berkeley, CA: Seal Press, 2010.
The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo. By Lisa F. Jackson. Women Make Movies. 2007.
“WfWI DR Congo Programs.” Women for Women International. Unknown. 17 Feb. 2011. .
“2010 DRC Report: Amplifying the Voices of Women in Eastern Congo.” Women for Women International. 2010. 17 Feb. 2011. .
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