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amihan's Blog
amihan's Blog


Of War and Women: The Rape of Congo
Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

I've heard stories of suffering. I've had my share of heartbreaks seeing the helplessness and despair of some people. Volunteering and working with people in the community have exposed me to some of the harsh realities in life. I thought I have seen enough suffering to last me a lifetime not until I chanced upon the report of savage rapes on a scale never seen before. When some of us are busy with our work and never have the time to know what's happening with the rest of the world, somebody continues to die not only with hunger and abject poverty but also with a different kind of death, a violence they called as rape. Such is the case of Congo

I have read about the cases of rape in this country way back in 2005 but to encounter it again two years later struck me with deepest sympathy for the victims and anger to those who are engaged in this culture of sexual violence. Congo, an East African nation, borders Rwanda and has suffered a violent civil war in the past.

At the moment, guns may have been silenced. A peace deal and the formation of a transitional government in 2003 may have created an air of normalcy. Despite of this however, people are still dying, almost all for preventable reasons. The attacks on its citizens still continue, Not even old women and young children were spared. Moreover, what makes my stomach sick is the brutalization of the militias who used to engage not just on the looting of Congo's diamonds but also in raping its women. Most of the victims are girls and women but there are also cases of rape on men and boys.

Congo, a country beautiful with its naturally endowed environment has become a land of despair. Years of war have left the country in ruins and left its people in despair. Young boys were forced to grow up fast and some unfortunate ones ended up as child soldiers. Its women physically ravaged, emotionally terrorized and economically impoverished.

One woman was raped in February by five men while they made her husband watched them. They told him if he closes his eyes, they would shoot him. After they were finished, they shoot him anyway. It's ironic to say this but I wonder if ever that man was happy to be killed than live for the rest of his life with the memory of seeing his wife being raped while he can't do anything to stop it. At some point, some male relatives are forced at gun point to rape their own daughters, mothers and sisters.

How can a human being succumb to such an act of brutality?


It's shocking to see the numbers of women everyday who lined up to avail of the surgery but here's the catch. What it makes it more appalling and heart wrenching is the state of the women who were gravely sexually violated. The violence is shocking that doctors who treated these women are sometimes at a loss for words to describe the brutality involved in the act itself. Some were raped with a tree branch or the barrel of a gun. Some were raped as many as ten men at a time. Many were brutally attacked that their reproductive organs are beyond repair.

At Panzi hospital in South Kivu Province, the epicenter of Congos' rape epidemic, it is said that the air is thick with flies. It reeks from women with fistula: rips in the vaginal wall where rape tore out chunks of flesh separating the bladder and rectum from the vagina. According to a report, Dr. Denis Mukwege, a Congolese gynecologist, performs as many as six rape-related surgeries a day. Women are lying in bed with colostomy bags hanging next to them because of all the internal damage. Doing simple household chores is simply next to impossible.

Medical help is wanting. Legal assistance is even rarer. Many of the victims and rape survivors know where their assailants are. But a large part of the country lacks judges, lawyers even police. How does one prosecute the assailants? Who will be held accountable for all this? For the victims, it's a long road to healing especially when justice seems elusive.

To make it worst, the United Nations have reported allegations of sexual abuse committed by peace keepers in Congo. UN Investigators found that some peace keepers and civilian workers were paying an average of $2 dollars for sex with women in populations they were assigned to protect or bartering of sex for food, basic supplies and for a promise of work.

Such things are reminiscent of the plight of some of the Vietnamese women refugees who seek refuge in the Philippines at the height of Vietnam War. I have interviewed some of the refugees and at first my ears refused to believe it. But to finally read it in paper was disturbing. Philippine officials asking for sexual favors from women refugees in exchange for the speedy conduct of their papers in the hopes of joining their families. One begins to think that indeed for these lions who hide in a sheep's clothing, there is no such thing as a free lunch.

Short of homicide, rape is the ultimate violation of self. In the crime of rape, the inner space is violated symbolically. No woman or man should in any way be forced to undergo such horrors. God knows how painful that experienced would be to any human being. Only the fish who lives in the water really knows what the crocodile is like.

I can go on empathizing with them but it's not enough. I can choose to remain angry and hateful but I also know that it is useless to dwell in such emotions when I know I can do something positive.

I'm telling their stories. This is my first step. The road to healing maybe long and the ride maybe rough but rest assure, if it helps alleviate their pain, we'll let them know that they are not alone and we must do our share to act on it.

November 27, 2007 | 6:38 PM Comments  2 comments

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Habagat, Bulan, Amihan: What’s in A Name?
Related to country: Philippines

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

Amihan. Habagat. I don’t know why I like these names so much. Maybe because I am a historian and an artist by heart. Or maybe because I am truly proud to be a Filipino. Before, I told my friends that someday I would name my daughter Merry Ligaya Joy. And her nickname would be “Happy”. I tend to view life with that positive outlook. We only live once, so we better make the most out of it. Isn’t it cute? MERRY LIGAYA JOY. I bet she will never get the feeling that I have forsaken her. Okay. Don’t give me that look. I am joking.

What’s in a name? A lot, I guess. Kidlat. Daguob. Makisig. Amihan. Habagat. Nobody would say it’s of western influence. My name is undeniably of Western origin. Until now, I never get to ask my parents about this. There are a lot of women in this world named Joyce. Not to mention that my name is too long. Maybe when I was in Grade I, I must have missed the first questions in my exams because I have to write my complete name. Once, while surfing the net, I come across an article about a woman who was a victim of a heinous crime. Exactly. You’re right. Quite different but the spellings are exactly the same. Heaven forbids.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not writing this because I am not satisfied with my name. My parents gave it to me with good intentions. Otherwise they could have given me the name, “Kutimoy” because I am a premature baby. However, there are times when I wished that some of us should think twice before we christen our children with names that sounded like a curse from nowhere.

I wanted something that is unique. Something different. Something exotic. Not ordinary. So I wrack my brain for a good one. That’s how it all started. Amihan and Habagat were born while listening to the radio about the weather one evening. Amihan for a daughter and Habagat for a son. Bagani. Bagwis. Magayon. Lin-ay. Bulan. Bituin. Bulak. The list goes on and on. And why not? I have always been proud to be a Filipino. I wear it like a crown. In fact, I wear it like no other.

I wanted my children to learn the tales of Mariang Makiling, Pedro Penduko and the likes. Before they read Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys or Jane Austen, they must learn to appreciate Ibong Adarna, Florante at Laura, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. They must learn to hum and eventually sing the songs of the EDSA Revolution. Explore Philippines and Asia before they decide to take a vacation somewhere in Europe or the United States. Serve their country. Enjoy and appreciate their own culture.

A friend laughed when I told her about this. I know there is nothing funny about the names. As a historian, I truly believe that giving such a Filipino sounding name is the way to go. I advocate it. There is nothing wrong with it. In the future, if I name my son Kidlat and my daughter Ma-anyag, so what? Being agile and beautiful are wonderful qualities. But just don’t overdo it. A friend of mine suggested names such as Talahib, Kulunaknit, Pagong, Palito, Tabatsoy, Budyawi and Bangenge. You don’t want your children to curse you, don’t you? Fine. They sound truly Filipino. However, envision your children’s future 10 to 15 years from now. They will be the butt of jokes somehow among their classmates. And certainly you don’t want your children to live up to such names.

Don’t name them Mamon, Kapog or Monay simply because you love to eat these foods. Or much worst name your child Pancit, Hototay or Batchoy because it smells and sounds so good. Maybe I am exaggerating. But I am truly honest when I tell you that I know somebody named as “Kapog”. The poor girl has to live with the name for the rest of her life.

I must also admit. I have my own secret to reveal. No. I was not named as Soup Number Five or Dinuguan, some of my parents’ favorite foods. Rather I was given the nickname of “Agok”. I am a sickly child before. I suffered from bouts of asthma attacks. Until now, sometimes I still do. Sisigok-sigok. That was how it all started. In the end, “Agok” was born. It might sound cute for someone who doesn’t have a single idea about it. Now here’s the tricky part. What if your partner doesn’t agree with you? Simple. Merry Ligaya Joy or Amihan? Choose the latter. Take it or leave it.

So, what’s in a name? A lot. Choose carefully. Think not just once. Not twice. But a number of times before you decide. The stakes are high. Eventually you’ll learn that your children will be thankful that you have chosen the right names for them.

November 27, 2007 | 10:23 AM Comments  0 comments

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