Global gender-based violence and killing for the sake of it
In the Democratic Republic of Congo soldiers march through the night hunting for women who are hiding in the bushes. 2,000 young soldiers fire gunshots in the air. The commander orders, ‘Go and rape women.’ The soldiers obey. Research from the American Journal of Public Health says that ‘in DRC 1,152 women are raped every day - 48 women every hour). Despite conflict officially ending in 2003 fighting has never stopped, claiming more than five million lives. Throughout this time, sexual violence has continued as a weapon. A total of 12% of the female population of the DRC have been raped at least once. DRC’s reputation is ‘the most dangerous in the world for women’. War Child UK, a charity working to reduce rape in the Congo, says sexual violence rises in conflict because men lose their role in society, are mentally scarred, and commit crimes with little consequence. Pray for the 4-day conference ‘End Sexual Violence in Conflict’ being held this week in London.
Middle East: Israeli-Palestinian children’s camps
Musalaha’s Israeli-Palestinian Children’s Summer Camps provide a framework for Israeli and Palestinian children to meet together in a fun and friendly atmosphere. They have the opportunity to build relationships with children from the other side, whom they would otherwise not have the chance to meet, and learn to counter many of the stereotypes they have learned. The children learn about the reconciliation process as they build relationships with each other. This is done through sitting together at meal times, playing water games, engaging in activities and studying the Bible together. They walk away from these camps having learnt new phrases and songs in Hebrew and Arabic; having shared cabins, they potentially become agents of change at a young age after having made new friends. Sudanese refugee children also participate as the children learn to be around other groups of people who are living in both Israeli and Palestinian societies.
Brazil: The World Cup's biggest secret
While its popularity is renowned across the world, its notoriety goes deeper than you may expect. It’s an industry that engages almost every country on the planet; captivating countless numbers of male and female clientele alike and making more money annually than Nike, Starbucks and Google put together. Sadly, this industry isn’t football - it's human trafficking. The World Cup brings a mass influx of tourists and traffickers are preparing for a month of the highest demand they’ll encounter. In business when demand increases, so does the supply - and unfortunately sex-tourism is no different. 20% of Brazil’s population live below the poverty line, with one of the largest disparities in the world between rich and poor. The economic imbalance is increasing and the poor are vulnerable to exploitation and violation. 120 years after slavery was abolished in Brazil an estimated 40,000 people are still trapped by it. 12-year-old children are sold for a night for less than the price of a cup of coffee.
Nepal: Calls to outlaw religious conversion
Religious freedom groups have expressed concern after reports that the Vice President of the Indian Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has urged Nepali leaders to outlaw religious conversion. Bhagat Singh Koshiyari reportedly spoke to senior leaders including Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and Chairman of Maoist party Pushpa Kamal Dahal, claiming that Western countries had been promoting proselytising in Nepal since it was declared a secular state in 2008. Koshiyari called for an immediate stop to religious conversions, particularly from Hinduism to Christianity, Christian Solidarity Worldwide's CEO Mervin Thomas expressed concern that Nepali leaders were being persuaded to exclude the rights of the people to freedom of religion in the new constitution of Nepal. In the past, Christians faced persecution and harassment from both the government and society, but have experienced a period of calm in the last few years. According to OM, Nepal has the fastest-growing Christian church in Asia. Hinduism remains the major religion with over 80% of the population.
