Full report - International Alert

13 • Women’s Bodies as a Battleground: Sexual Violence Against Women and Girls During the War in the Democratic Republic of Congo1Methodology1.1 Methodological approachThis study is a retrospective investigation that describes and analyses the phenomenonof rape and other types of sexual abuse committed during the armed conflict in theprovince of South Kivu. The research was carried out between 15 September and 15December 2003.A participatory approach was adopted at the exploratory stage to identify and analyse thefactors and motives that have driven the various combatants in the Democratic Republic ofCongo (DRC) to commit acts of sexual violence against women and girls. The victims were,from the outset, placed at the heart of this research, and they were interviewed about theway in which they perceive and analyse their situation and the ways and means that theythemselves would advocate for breaking free of it. Three data-collection techniques wereused: one-to-one interviews, focus groups and a review of current literature. The use of thesethree methods in combination made it possible to outline the different aspects of the subjectand to minimise any bias that might have been introduced by the use of one technique aloneor by one particular investigator.1.2 Research questionsWith the above observations in mind, the following research questions were drawn up:1. What forms of sexual violence have been committed against women and girls inSouth Kivu?2. What are the direct and indirect consequences of these acts of violence?3. Do the victims themselves, their community or support organisations use or suggestany specific means of helping the victims?4. What is it that drives some members of armed groups involved in the conflict inDRC to commit acts of violence and sexual abuse against girls and women?5. Are there any motivating factors of an ideological, political, psychological or socioculturalnature at the core of the violence and sexual abuse perpetrated againstwomen in South Kivu? If so, what are they?1.3 Research objectives1.3.1 Overall objectiveTo identify the factors and motives underlying the rape and sexual abuse in South Kivu with a viewto, on the one hand, producing systematic documentation that could support a programme atlocal, national and international level campaigning against sexual violence against girls and womenin the DRC in general and in South Kivu in particular and, on the other hand, developing newpolicies and strategies aimed at eradicating sexual violence and abuse in the DRC.1.3.2 Specific objectives1. To identify and analyse the events that directly and indirectly trigger incidents of rape andsexual abuse.