Rape as a weapon of war destroys communities through the demoralization and immobilization of its (for the most part) women. According to the report below, 15,000 women are raped a year in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). I believe it is one of the most cruel devices of war, which keeps civilians trapped in a state of fear. They are thus controllable and less likely to oppose their attackers. The war in the DRC is continuous in large part because it is funded through the sale of electronics which contain items found in the mineral rich country. These minerals are fought over by gorilla groups, government militia,warlords, as well as armed forces hired by Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi, who siphon the minerals through their countries and on to Australia, where they are mix and become untraceable from other minerals.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/gunmen-carry-out-new-year-gang-rape-in-congo-msf
Want to know what your favorite electronic companies are doing to combat the use of conflict minerals in their products (computers, ipods, dvd players, cell phones, ect.)?
Read the below company ratings:
http://www.enoughproject.org/publications/getting-conflict-free?elq=9fa1e70026d847cb87d7e1d4cec6fc99
Make sure that the regulation of conflict minerals is strong, sign the petition to aid in ending violence in the Congo!
http://www2.americanprogress.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=113
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