Lost Innocence and Hope Amid a Senseless War

During a 2006 trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a country ravaged by more than a decade of war, disease and hunger, I met a 12-year-old girl who told me her story of being brutally attacked and raped by four men. When I met her then you could see the mental anguish, fear and shame from the horrific trauma and the lost innocence taken away.

The young girl, who I call 'Hope,' is just one of thousands of girls raped each year in the DRC. The atrocities against women and girls are shameful and must end. This poor girl was so traumatized that when I asked what she wanted to be when she grew up she said she wanted to be a nun. Her answer left a deep impression and I often think of Hope and continue to tell her story as a means of helping bring more awareness and change in that region of the world.

Last month when I returned to the DRC I asked to meet Hope again. When we met, she ran up to me and gave me a big hug. She is a beautiful young girl; however, the pain from her attackers -- both mental and physical -- still haunts her.

An orphan and an only child, Hope was in the care of her grandmother when I met her in 2006. But her grandmother has since passed away and she is now being taken care of by kind women in her community. They give her shelter and food, but there isn't much money so they can't send her to school. She told me that what she most wants now is to go to school.

Hope also tells me she is not feeling well so we make sure she sees a doctor. Before leaving, I asked her again what she wants to be when she grows up. She told me her aim in life is still the same. She wants to be a nun. Her choice speaks volumes about the long-term impact rape has on women and girls.

In the DRC, particularly throughout the eastern provinces, the horrific stories of rape, violence and senseless killings are all too common. Rape is used as a vicious weapon of war in an attempt to demoralize, destroy and tear communities apart.

UNICEF, along with our many international partners, is helping bring more awareness and much needed assistance to the region. Our collective goal is to end these atrocities that occur daily and to ensure young girls like Hope can live productive lives.

Ann Veneman recently returned from a tour of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a country ravaged by disease, conflict and violence. Veneman chronicled her personal stories for Huffington Post and in the coming weeks will share what she saw in the hope of bringing more international awareness and attention to the crisis facing this devastated region of the world. To learn more go to www.unicef.org.

 

 

Comments

[GoodComment]

I take exception to the idea that the fact that Hope wants to be a nun can only be attributed to her traumatic experience. The clear implication is that there is no other possible reason for a young woman to wish to take vows, and that there is something wrong or pathetic about wanting to be a nun. "Her choice speaks volumes about the long-term impact rape has on women and girls." There's no arguing that rape has terrible long-term consequences. But her choice might speak volumes about the brave nuns who live in dangerous places and help those most in need. I too have been to the DRC and met victims of rape, and I have also met nuns who dedicate themselves to taking care of the victims of conflict. Perhaps Hope was helped by some of these nuns, and was inspired by their kindness and compassion. In western countries, it's rare for young people to want to join religious vocations, but that's not the case in every part of the world. Rather than pity this girl who aspires to be "only" a nun (as if being a nun made her less of a woman, or less of a person), the author should encourage her learn as much as she can about it, and help her to follow her heart's desire, if that is indeed what it is. It's too bad the author can't step outside of her own prejudices as she supports Hope.

[amber15]

I feel your thinking is too simplistic to understand what the author was trying to convey..........
No where did she imply anything wrong with being a nun, merely that this young girls choice was a choice of survival which she equated to being a nun. As someone who has both experienced rape and traveled to Africa as well as India, girls and women have NO safety, their cultures used them and then blame them for male behavior and the women suffer endlessly because of this attitude. Perhaps she thought that being a nun might some how save her from another rape or having to marry a male which symbolizes abuse and torture, since women usually have no say in their own marriages.
Women in these countries rarely have time nor are allowed to "follow' their hearts desire. They live in a survival mode, day after day after day. So you see, your offense is probably more of a personal issue rather than having anything to do with this article or this young girls fate...........

[meadowgirl]

why isn't THIS the top of every single news channel and news show???? WHY? oh, it's just a bunch of poor African women being raped halfway across the world. :-( instead we must look and search for it and hope we are passing on the word. these poor women and girls. no one, no one, deserves such an awful start to their womanhood.

[fbr79]

My dream for world improvement would involve getting all the head-of-states, corrupt figures and peacekeeping fiascos out of the way of the good work that UNICEF, IFAD, WFP, FAO and other UN agencies do. A work dedicated to erradicating poverty, providing meidical assistance, fighting hunger and caring for our children. While the UN budgeted $5 billion this year to maintan the troops that do everything but keep peace; World Food Program services were cut in several countries with people in deep need of assistance. Oh well, that was my little UN related rant for the day. Volunter, donate or shop at the UNICEF - United States Fund website.

http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/usa.html