LONDON (AlertNet) - The systematic use of rape as a weapon of war in African conflict zones has created a humanitarian crisis for tens of thousands of women and girls and threatens to increase the spread of AIDS in the region, a new report says.
Rape, Sexual Violence and HIV in Conflict and Post-Conflict Zones, released by grassroots group Women’s Equity in Access to Care and Treatment, gives comparative case studies documenting sexual violence in Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The report calls for greater protection for rape victims from further sexual torture, access to emergency medical services, including post-exposure prophylactic antiretroviral drugs, rape counselling and food and shelter.
