World in News: Protect Somali women from gun-toting rapists

Sunday, August 28, 2011

The situation in Somalia is tragic beyond words. The country has been drowning in anarchy and civil war for the past twenty years, creating problems such as endemic violence, child soldier recruitment, a lack of public services and education, and a stymied economy.

Now, the most severe famine in 60 years has hit the region, and as starving women flee with their children to Kenyan refugee camps, they are often attacked by armed gangs. Tragically, this risk of sexual assault doesn't end when they limp, traumatized and weakened, within camp borders.

Sign this petition to urge the Kenyan government and the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees to more effectively govern these Somali refugee camps in order to miminize the rape risk for women.»

Margot Wallstrom, the United Nations (UN) Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, expressed deep concern this weekend over spiking rates of sexual assault in the edges of these camps.

Women who leave their rickety tents to go to the bathroom or head into the bush to collect firewood are most at risk, as men with guns prowl at night.

Join us in calling on the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees to initiate assistance programs that will do more to protect these vulnerable Somali women!»

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Take action link: http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AgPoq/zl8S/AgVwD