Pray for peace in the Congo on International Women's Day

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On Feb. 11, eight women were attacked, tortured, and raped by soldiers near the town of Mwenga in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Five of the eight women were murdered and three escaped. The three escaped women and their families were taken by women from the National Council of Churches to Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu Province. This hospital specializes in treatment of rape victims.

A group of Protestant women in Bukavu has decided to wear black on March 8, International Women's Day, as a prayer of mourning and a call to peace, in response to this grievous act of violence.

Suzanne Lind, who is on an administrative visit to Bukavu, said that March 8 is usually a day of celebration for women in DRC. They wear bright and festive clothing to celebrate International Women's Day. Thus, the decision to wear black is discerned differently by various groups, and some believe that wearing black will undermine the message of solidarity among women in DRC.

Mennonite women in the United States are asked to pray that the women of Bukavu will be strengthened to be faithful in discerning how to speak against crimes of violence as they participate through their choice of clothing and activities on International Women's Day this year.

"As we pray for peace in Congo, I encourage each of us to prayerfully discern how to dress on March 8," said Rhoda Keener, director of Mennonite Women USA. "Whether we wear black or bright colors, let our clothing, our thoughts, and our meditations be a prayer for our sisters who must walk carefully every day along paths of violence."