"Silence on this issue has ended!"

By Liz Wing on 05/14/2009 @ 05:00 PM

Senator Barbara Boxer speaks out about rape and violence against women.

Washington, DC: May 13, 2009: A historic, first ever congressional hearing on rape, and other forms of violence against women in conflict zones, with a spotlight on the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan was held by Senator Barbara Boxer’s new Subcommittee on Global Women’s Issues and Sen Russ Feingold’s Subcommittee on African Affairs.

Senators heard vivid, painful testimony from witnesses (see list below) and suggested positive actions that the U.S. can (and should) take to help bring an end to the violence.

At the conclusion of the hearing, Sen. Boxer said, "Silence on this issue has ended!" She announced that she would send a letter to the President and Secretary of State, urging that the U.S. make a serious effort to combat the violence. The letter will propose the following actions:

1.) More doctors. In all of Eastern Congo, where the need for doctors is overwhelming, there are only a handful doctors. Women and girls suffer severe damage from rape and sexual violence. More doctors are needed, that is certain.
2.) Appoint a Special Representative to the United Nations for women in conflict.
3.) Get women in security and police force. Women can be a powerful voice in halting attacks and bringing the perpetrators of violence to justice.
4.) Send more aid to organizations already in place that are doing good work to combat the violence.
5.) Resolve to only purchase minerals that are conflict-free. “Conflict Minerals”, natural resources in the DRC that are in high demand from the U.S. and other nations, are at the root of the conflict.

Sen. Boxer described the violent acts as a “shame on human race” and vowed that “we cannot hear one more story” of girls and women facing such horrific abuse.

She said she was particularly touched by a quote issued by 71 Congolese women’s organizations about how the sexual violence is impacting their society and their lives:

“We are vulnerable in our fields, in the streets, and even in our own homes. Even our daughters as young as three years old are vulnerable when they are playing with their friends or on their way to school.”

"Silence on this issue has ended!" Her determination to call the U.S. to action is unwavering. Her leadership is bold. And her patience is short. She is ready to move quickly on this, and we stand with her in support.

Read more about the sobering hearing in the proceeding posts.

Panelists:
Melanne Verveer, Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues, Department of State
Esther Brimmer, Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs
Phil Carter, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of African Affairs, Department of State
Eve Ensler, Founder, V-Day
Chouchou Namegabe Nabintu, President and Founder, South Kivu Women’s Media Association
Neimat Ahmadi Darfuri Liason Officer, Save Darfur Coalition
Robert Warwick, Executive Director of U.S. Programs, Former Country Director, Sothern Sudan and DRC
John Prendergast, Co-Founder, The Enough Project

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