In the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where ongoing conflict and widespread sexual violence have left communities in crisis, women are increasingly taking up arms to protect themselves.
The women are joining the pro‑government Wazalendo militia, a unit that has been active in the region for several years. By aligning with the fighters, they aim to gain a measure of security against the frequent attacks that have plagued civilians.
Reports indicate that the surge in female participation comes as the eastern DRC remains one of the world’s most volatile conflict zones, with armed groups routinely using rape and other forms of sexual violence as weapons of war.
Wazalendo fighters, who are supported by the central government, have traditionally been tasked with maintaining order in the area. The addition of women to the ranks is seen as a strategic move to strengthen community defence and to counter the pervasive threat of sexual violence.
While the exact numbers of women who have joined remain unclear, the trend reflects a broader pattern of civilians stepping into armed roles in response to the persistent insecurity that has plagued the eastern DRC for decades.
<small>Source: Al Jazeera — read the original story there.</small>
