Full report - International Alert

59 • Women’s Bodies as a Battleground: Sexual Violence Against Women and Girls During the War in the Democratic Republic of Congo9.2 Difficulties encountered by civil societyThe NGOs and local associations active in South Kivu encounter difficulties of a structural, social andfinancial nature.Even before the conflicts started, administrative neglect meant that certain parts of South Kivu, such asMinembwe and the more remote areas of Fizi and Shabunda Territories were virtually cut off. Access tothem is very difficult, with air travel the best means of transport but too expensive for most people. Meetingthe needs of victims in remote rural areas therefore often proves to be impossible.Moreover, continuing insecurity in the region due to the recurrent conflicts and militia groups’ operationsmeans all activities outside the towns are dangerous, so the NGOs and local associations often have toconfine themselves to working with victims who have managed to get themselves to a town.The burden of stigmatisation and social censure weighs heavily on women victims, who often choose tokeep silent about what has happened to them for fear of being repudiated by their husbands or out ofrespect for the prohibitions of local customs, and thus they are deprived of the assistance that they sogreatly need.Taking care of victims of rape and sexual violence is an extremely demanding undertaking. Even thoughcivil society can count on the voluntary work of individuals, it simply does not have the funds to enable itto help the women who have been raped and to provide for their needs and those of their families andcommunities.