This article from CNN is difficult to read, you might even be unable to look at the written words of rape survivor Masika. But what I hope you will see is that the situation in eastern Congo is beyond war-time, it’s beyond temporary, and it’s a humanitarian crisis of horrific proportion. Fiona Lloyd-Davies writes,

Rape has now become generational.

Davies has spent 10 years in this region, and her recount of her time there illustrates just how unimaginable life has become for these women. Women in the west, thankfully, have never walked in these women’s shoes, and our priorities simply do not apply here. In no one’s mind should abortion access be at the forefront after reading this. Abortion will not make the Congolese women “on par” with their male counterparts. Abortion will not promote equality, and it will not save lives. What the women in eastern Congo need is help, whatever we can give them, as much as we can give and as soon as possible.

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