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Al Jazeera English - Africa - Rape used as weapon in DR Congo war

Al Jazeera English - Africa - Rape used as weapon in DR Congo war: "The Democratic Republic of Congo is grappling with rampant rape, which has become an every day practice and is used as a weapon of war, the UN has said.

It said almost 5,400 cases of rape against women were reported in the South Kivu province during the first six months of the year.

Elisabeth Byrs, a spokeswoman for the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said South Kivu, near Rwanda, was an increasingly dangerous place for civilians, especially for women.

'Night-time attacks against civilians by unidentified armed elements, and rape against women, remain widespread,' Byrs said."

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