September 18 — Film and discussion about rape and war in Congo
In spring’s Indianapolis International Film Festival, “The Greatest Silence: Rape in Congo” won Provocate’s Erik Parker Social Justice Award. Now another film, “Fighting the Silence: Sexual Violence against Women,” shows a different perspective on this social trauma. More perspective are better, we need to figure out solutions. Maybe Burundian Valerie Masumbuko can help.
When: Thursday September 18, 7:00 PM
Where: Earth House, Lockerbie United Methodist Church 237 N East St, Indianapolis, IN
Here’s a trailer of the film:
Synopsis from the filmmakers:
The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s seven year war was the deadliest ever recorded in Africa. During that time, more than 80.000 women and girls were raped. Only now that the country is formally at peace are the consequences of the brutality becoming truly visible. Rape is slowly seeping into everyday life.
“Fighting the Silence” tells the story of ordinary Congolese women and men that are struggling to change their society: one that prefers to blame victims rather than prosecute rapists. Rape survivors and their families speak out openly about the suffering they endured because their culture considers women second class citizens and rape a taboo. They give voice to thousands of other survivors and their families who have chosen to hide their grief and remain silent for fear of being rejected by their families and community.
Girls and women survivors tell of the brutality they experienced. Married couples openly talk about the pain they endure. Husbands talk of the pressures that led them to abandon their wives and why they agreed to take them back. A father explains why he has given up on his daughter’s future and how he wishes he could afford to take her rapist to court. Soldiers and policemen share their (shocking) views about why rape continues to flourish despite the war having officially ended four years ago.
Leading a discussion of the film will be Valerie Masumbuko, a native of Burundi and currently working with several governments in Europe on issues of women’s vicitimization. Cabinet Attaché Valerie Masumbuko is highly regarded in matters of Burundian and international peace and conflict transformation organizations and movements concerned with women’s rights and raising global awareness of violence against women and children—particularly in her native Africa. Masumbuko is visiting Indiana to screen the film “Fighting the Silence” and lead discussions on breaking the silence to shed light on how third world women are considered second class citizens and how this classification and treatment further victimizes them and increases their suffering at the hands of rapists and others four years after the war was officially declared as being over.
Why does Provocate think you should attend this event?
Right now there is great interest and activity related to Congo bubbling in Central Indiana. Hundreds of people were moved during spring’s Indianapolis International Film Festival by Lisa Jackson and her film “The Greatest Silence: Rape in Congo” … winner of the Festival’s Erik Parker Social Justice Award, given to the film that best provoked a discussion about how we can in Indy help solve global problems. Many local groups are doing very good work in Congo, and they are very good at absorbing effectively offers to help.
If you think this sounds interesting, be sure to check out …
For more on Congo, get involved in “Breaking the Silence” — Congo Week — October 19-25; and attend the Spirit & Place event November 6, “Re-Imagine the Future: Midwest Voices for Congo.” There are many other relevant events about Africa this fall: in particular hear the South African theologian Isabel Phiri discuss African notions of masculinity and vioolence against women on September 17.
Know before you go:
Visit the website for “Fighting the Silence.” The Indianapolis Star recently had an interesting article about actor Javier Bardem’s work on rape in Congo. Take a look at some other news articles about rape in Congo before seeing the film.
For more information …
Provocate has put together More Information sheets about Congo, Violence against Women in Africa, and coltan (the natural resource blamed for prolonging the civil wars in Congo).
And for your listening pleasure …
