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Confronting Rape and other forms of Violence Against Women in Conflict Zones

U.S. Senate Hearing, May 13 : Confronting Rape and Other Forms of Violence Against Women in Conflict Zones

May 13th, Washington DC ? Vital Voices Global Advisory Council member and Global Leadership Award recipient, Chouchou Namegabe of the Democratic Republic of Congo, testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at the hearing “Confronting Rape and other forms of Violence Against Women in Conflict Zones.” Alongside Amb. Melanne Verveer, Eve Ensler, Niemat Ahmadi, John Prendergast, Robert Warwick and other U.S. government representatives, Chouchou powerfully presented the need for immediate action to protect women, end the war, and provide assistance for victims.

Sen. Boxer pledged her support to continue to draw attention to the plight of women in conflict zones and to advocate for urgent action and policy on these issues. She has also pledged to work with all the witnesses to draft a letter to President Obama and Secretary Clinton with recommendations for immediate actions the U.S. government can take to protect women in conflict zones. Lastly, there was a call for U.S. Delegation to Eastern Congo to bring attention to the violence against women, and to advocate for protection, peace, and prosecution of the perpetrators.

Vital Voices will continue to work in partnership with Chouchou, Sen. Boxer, and other advocates to ensure that the women leaders of DRC receive the training, support and political will needed to bring peace to the country and healing to the women.

Hearing and Testimony

Watch the videocast of the hearing

Read Chouchou Namegabe’s Testimony

Read Eve Ensler’s Testimony

Testimony from Melanne Verveer, Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues, U.S. State Department

Human Rights Watch Written Submission to the Committee

News Coverage

Rape is effective weapon of war, senators told - AP

US Senate tackles rape as weapon of war - Christian Science Monitor

National Journal Interviews Chouchou Namegabe

Interview with Chouchou Namegabe Nabintu after her Senate testimony on Congolese women and rape - Examiner.com

Senate’s Spotlight on confronting rape and other forms of violence against women (DRC and Sudan) - Examiner.com