The democratic republic of Congo is reportedly the most dangerous place for women to live.
In Congo, where there is a long history of sexual violence, 48 women get raped an hour, reported News.com.au. These violent acts happen so frequently that authorities don't persecute offenders.
The sexual violence in the Congo is part of a vicious cycle-- once a woman is sexually assaulted she is deemed worthless.
The acts of violence are far from new, but international light was recently shed on the country after a new report highlighting International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (Nov. 25) was released.
Along with the excessive sexual violence, Congo is also a very poor country. More than 67 million people live in the republic, 87 percent of whom live on less than $1.45 a day.
Lulu Mitshabu, from Caritas, Australia, who filed the report on the violence in Congo, was originally from the republic as well. She interviewed women on their experience living in the most dangerous place for their gender in the world.
"Over 50 women were interviewed and they all said the same thing-- that violence perpetrated against women is on the increase," Mitshabu said.
Mitshabu recalled a story she heard while conducting the interviews where an 11-year-old girl was raped by a neighbor while she was living with her grandmother. Another neighbor helped clean her up and framed the crime to look like the girl was injured from falling out of a tree. The grandmother filed a complaint but was terrorised by the neighbor until she withdrew it.
"By destroying the women, we are destroying the whole family. If the woman is raped, she doesn't have any value anymore," Mitshabu said. "They will be chased out of their home. And the husband will move out because he needs to hide his face."
