Raped every day for nine months

By Esther Namirimu

Gang raped by seven men

My name is Mado Nzigire, 33years old, from Bukavu district from Democratic Republic of Congo, one evening I was busy preparing supper for my family when armed men stormed my compound. They collected all my family members together, and then they started raping me one by one until the seventh rebel got his turn.

Can you imagine I was raped in the presence of my children and mother in law, and when my husband tried to stop them, he was killed instantly? I passed out and only to wake up in the middle of nowhere surrounded by bush. The rebels had taken me to be their wife.

They fought amongst themselves for me, and in the end the leader decided to have me. I would cook food for them, clean around and sometimes fetch water at gun point. To make it worse I was raped every day for nine months by the rebel leader. My private parts got torn and now I cannot manage to hold waste.

Fortunately one day I was allowed to fetch water from the well on my own and there was an exchange of fire between the government forces and the rebels, so I used that opportunity to escape. I went to the hospital where I was treated.

Now I work as a porter by carrying people’s lugage and sometimes work as house help. I have to look after my family and mother in law.

Life is not easy because I have recto-vaginal fistula, a very dangerous health problem with repeated pelvic infections and the memories of those horrible days still linger in my mind.

Fortune to rape a virgin

My name is Yoles Kambele, 31 years from Bundibugyo. I was abducted by Allied Democratic Forces rebels at the age of 13 and I was still a virgin the rebels tattooed all virgins in the bush whom they believed it was a source of fortune to have sex with them.

I was gang raped by 9 men when I tried to refuse to have sex with the men then I was heavily beaten and forced into a tree trunk. I still feel scared. 

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Unfortunately I became pregnant I was operated on using the razor blade and a knife during labor, and I was healed by taking a dip in cold water early every morning and giving me herbs. But today I have heard complications during every delivery.

This person who operated me, I could not establish whether he was a qualified medical personnel or not because everybody claimed to be an expert especially when a crisis arose and there was need to help somebody. 

Forced to eat flesh fresh

My name is Amina 25 years old. I was abducted by Allied Democratic Forces rebels when they attacked my village in Ndughuthu Sub County in Bundibugyo. I was abducted together with my sister and cousin. We walked for a very long time, when my sister could not take it anymore; she complained and begged that we get some rest.

The rebel leader commanded his men to cut her body into pieces and this was then mixed with goat meat. I was forced to eat my sister’s flesh; I was the first to be given the piece of her flesh to eat, I had to eat it or else I would lose my life.

Sometime later my cousin could not take it anymore, she was also killed and then her private parts were cut off and they forced me to eat them too.

I was threatened, that in case I refused I would be the next on the row, I simply ate.  It was too devastating, up to now I cannot forget the trauma I went through. Those were the worst days of my life, seeing my family lose their lives and at the same time being forced to eat their flesh fresh.

I managed to escape and returned home. Even though I have got counseling from women in Isis WICCE, the memories are still fresh in my mind.

These are some of the testimonies given by women from war affected areas from different parts of the world, in the Isis-WICCE leadership training for peace and security that took at Esella country hotel in Najjera for a period of two weeks.

Africa is a witness to severe civil and political conflict. These conflicts among other political, economic and social problems have led to increased instances of complex forms of Violence Against Women (VAW) including Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV).

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According to Bedha Balikudembe Kirevu, communications manager of Isis-WICCE, most of the war affected women opened up about their gynecological problems when researchers from Isis-WICCE approached them.

“Some of these women have been having physical and physiological problems for over ten years, others have been abandoned by their families and the community,” notes Kirevu.

Kirevu also notes that since these women have no money to afford medication and also counseling sessions, Isis-WICCE has been organizing short term medical interventions. They get doctors to go and screen these women, give them treatment and offer surgery where necessary.

Kirevu adds that some women have been living in IDP camps for the last 20 years and have never received any medical treatment; they have infertility problems and have been abandoned by their husbands.

Psychological torture

Dr. Sheila Ndyanabangi, the principal Medical officer, Mental Health and Control of Substance Abuse notes that rape and defilement do not only cause physical injury but also injures someone’s psychology .

“Rape is a degrading, disempowering treatment which causes psychological torture to the victim. Unfortunately treatment of the psychological wound is not easy and it can last a life time,” adds Ndyanabangi.

She also notes that these women have anger and bitterness in their heart, whenever they see a male figure, he reminds them of that beast and it tortures them. Therefore they may not be able to have a meaningful sexual relationship in the future.

Ndyanabangi says urges that the psychological part is very important and delicate, therefore needs skilled people to tackle such sensitive issues. Professional counseling may not be adequate, so spiritual interventions are also required.

Ndyanabangi says that the Ministry of Health in collaboration with WHO have been training health workers in management of psycho trauma.

The ministry has also been collaborating with Trans-Cultural Psycho Social Organisation and also with Peter. C Alderman Foundation to run psycho trauma clinics at Gulu regional referral hospital and conduct out reaches to other hospitals and health center four’s in Acholi sub-region.