In the midst of war, a child is raped here every 30 minutes, the story is horrifying

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has released very sensitive data. According to the international agency, the ongoing conflict in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has caused great harm to children. In January and February alone, a child was raped every 30 minutes.

A child raped every half hour

According to news agency Xinhua, UNICEF said that out of about 10,000 cases of rape and sexual violence in January and February, 35 to 45 percent of the victims were children. UNICEF spokesperson James Elder told in Geneva that this year, when the fighting was at its peak in the eastern part of Congo (DRC), a child was raped every half hour.

Rape became a ‘weapon of war’

James Elder said that these are not isolated incidents, but a serious and ongoing problem. We are seeing even small children becoming its victims. This violence has become a weapon of war, which is being deliberately used to spread fear. This is breaking families and entire communities badly. He said that these figures may not show the whole truth, because many cases do not come to light due to fear, stigma and insecurity.

Immediate action needed

Elder appealed to the world to take immediate steps to stop sexual violence. He said that we should take such measures, which can stop such incidents and the victims can get full help. Victims should get safe and easy ways to speak their mind without fear. They should feel that the world is with them, not leaving them alone and those who commit such crimes should be punished.