One day workshop held on the promotion of new sexual violence law in the DRC

April 1, 2008 - (MONUC) As part of the month of the woman this March, a one day workshop on the promotion of the new sexual violence law in the DRC was held on Monday 31 March 2008 in Kinshasa, under the aegis of the International NGO Network for Development (RIOD).

On 18 March 2008, the DRC ministry for Women, Children and the Family, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and members of the Joint Initiative in the Fight Against Sexual Violence, had officially launched the information and sensitisation campaign against sexual violence.

The one year campaign aims not only to make the population aware of the extent and gravity of the phenomenon, but to fight it as much as possible.

RIOD and other female NGO networks organised this workshop to make the women aware of their rights, so that they can fight the impunity of those who commit acts of sexual violence.

In an opening speech, Ms. Nathalie Mansha Mukendi of the Congolese Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH) explained law 06/018 of July 20, 2006 relating to sexual violence. For her, the promulgation of this law which is published in the Official journal of the Republic is a “notable progress in the fight against sexual violence.”

It's first innovation relates to the legal age of a minor in a case of sexual violence, which was raised to 18 years from the previous age of 14.

Consequently, to have sexual relations with a minor, with or without consent, is an infringement of the law and is punishable on the same terms as forced marriage, forced prostitution or sexual slavery, pedophilia, genital mutilation, and the exploitation of children for sexual means, all of which are regarded as infringements liable to prosecution.

The new law has also made the allowance for stricter terms for those convicted of sexual violence. Conviction for rape of a minor by a parent or relative increases from 10 to 20 years, and sexual harassment from one to 12 years.

Changes to the sexual violence law also means that the President of the Republic, a Minister or a Deputy cannot use their immunity any more against the law if they have committed a crime of sexual violence.

Furthermore, crimes of sexual violence are now on the list of serious infringements, which means that the author of a crime of sexual violence who is caught red handed must be automatically transferred into the hands of justice, without any preconditions.
The women deplored the degradation of morals - considered as one of the root causes of sexual violence - and blame the media for often broadcasting obscene images that young boys imitate without thinking.

They denounced also the negative messages which certain musicians convey through obscene songs which influence young people in a negative way, and demanded of the state to punish those responsible.

Finally the workshop participants are expected to hold workshops, talks and debates on sexual violence and the new law themselves, in order to transmit the message to the greatest possible number of women.

From:http://www.monuc.org/News.aspx?newsID=17003