By RFPosted on 03-09-2019Modified on 03-09-2019 at 04:11
In Congo-Brazzaville, statistics on violence against women and girls are not very visible. An illustration that shows that those who undergo them simply live in silence. They do not dare to testify or complain. Nevertheless, some NGOs try to sensitize, assist and advise the few victims who come to them. Reportage.
" Yes, it's me number 3. " This young lady who answers the call to the health clinic and reproduction of the Congolese Association for Family Welfare (ACBEF) arrived at 7am . She and many others came mainly for family planning and get to know contraceptive methods by heart.
Few times they evoke the violence they suffer even when cases are recent, according to the midwife Yolande Aline Alimbi.
" Here in Brazzaville we can say that there are some women who are victims of this violence, but they dare not denounce the perpetrators. Let's say that in our customs it would be a shame to say that it was her husband who abused her or her brother, her uncle or the husband's friend. Nobody will believe it too, "says the midwife in her consultation room.
According to Mycoeur Bissiki, focal point of the Youth Action Movement (MAJ) at ACBEF, some girls are exposed to violence, living in silence, even before the age of 15.
" The age range we manage here is 10 to 24 years old. When they come to our level we do what we call consulting? We advise them by putting ourselves in their place and they tell us everything, "he says.
Violence is often not denounced because victims are unaware of their rights, according to human rights defenders.
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