It was inspiring to hear about the strength and courage of the Congolese women involved in improving the domestic situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Report, 22 January). Each year at Freedom from Torture we provide treatment to dozens of Congolese women, the majority of whom have been imprisoned by the authorities in the DRC and subjected to rape and other sexual torture. Our evidence suggests that these women are victims of persecutory rape and have been targeted specifically because of their political and human rights campaigning activity.
For example, one of the women profiled in our recent report Rape as Torture in the DRC: Sexual Violence Beyond the Conflict Zone was an anti-rape campaigner. She was illegally imprisoned and then herself subjected to multiple and gang rape as punishment for organising a peaceful protest encouraging other women to stand up against sexual violence. Given these very real risks Congolese women face when they speak out, or act against the entrenched gender stereotypes described in your article, it is remarkable that so many of them continue the struggle.
Katy Pownall
Freedom from Torture
