For the victims rape has far-reaching consequences: a girl that is no virgin cannot expect to find a husband whereas a husband often disowns his wife. Added to that the chances of contracting sexually transmitted diseases or AIDS are very high.
 
Photo descriptions
 
(1) After much waiting the soldiers unexpectedly do arrive and the women and men who are already present move to another, larger, room for the campaign. In this area just six days earlier 8 women were raped in plain daylight. Amongst the women participating are some of the victims.
 
(2) Soldier Shamukwalo Muliuanda (28) belongs to the 3rd Division of the 10th Regiment of the FARDC, the Congolese government army, stationed in the East of Congo. The FARDC are amongst the worst perpetrators of rape as a weapon of war in South Kivu. Members of his regiment (it is not known who) raped eight women in plain daylight in the village of kakwende six days before this picture was taken.
 
(3) The villagers of Kakwende anxiously await the arrival of the FARDC troops.
 
(4) Much later than originally agreed, the FARDC commander and his troops finally arrive at the sensitization campaign held in Kakwende and take place in the classroom where the campaign is held.
 
(5) Victim Joseline (22) was in bed at night when 2 FDLR soldiers entered her home. She tried to flee but was caught and was taken hostage in an FDLR camp. On the way to the camp she was raped by both soldiers. Once in the camp she became the 'wife' of one of the soldiers and was raped by him numerous times. After one month she managed to flee when she was looking for firewood in the forest.
Her husband disowed her when she returned but took her back after mediation.
 
(6) A lady speaks out during the campaign.
 
(7) FARDC soldiers during the campaign.
 
(8) Victim Jean Pierre (55). His village was attacked by 15 FDLR soldiers. He wanted to bring his cows to safety when he was taken prisoner. Four other women were already with them as prisoners. The soldiers demanded him to rape the four women but he denied to be able to do so. As a punishment he was raped anally by one of them and was forced to rape one of the women afterwards and was beaten in the meantime. The rape took place on 26.05.2003 but still suffers from incontinence and heavy pains.
 
(9) FARDC soldiers during the campaign. Eight women were raped in Kakwende by members of this regiment just a few days earlier.
 
(10) Many of the women present at the campaign are themselves rape victims.
 
(11) Victim Bengeria (35) was attacked in her home together with her husband by 3 men. Her husband was tied to a tree (inside the home) whilst she was raped by one of them men. The other two plundered the house and beat up the husband in the meantime. Her husband refused to have sex with her after this moment. He left the family altogether one and a half years later for security reasons.
 
(12) After the campaign soldiers are divided into groups where they are asked to come up with suggestions on how to solve the problem of rape. Poverty relief is seen by most as the main solution.

(13) A view of the building in Kakwende where Malteser International holds their sensitization campaigns.
 
(14) Victim Bora (14) was looking after her grandfather in his home whilst the rest of the family had fled the village for safety when 6 FDLR soldiers came into the house. They slid the grandfathers throat whilst she was hiding under the bed. She was found and taken hostage together with 3 women and 3 men of the village. On the way to the FDLR camp she was forced to witness the murder of six of her neighbours. The soldiers demanded 150 $ ransom per hostage. The money was raised for all 7 hostages but they were kept hostage nevertheless. She was made 'wife' of one of the soldiers and was raped numerous times by him. After two and a half weeks she managed to flee whilst she managed to bite through the rope with which she was handcuffed.

These photos are made by photojournalist Karijn Kakebeeke.

www.karijnkakebeeke.com