DR Congo militiamen flog women for wearing short skirts

Author: Chany Ninrew | Published: Monday, January 30, 2023

Women and girls have been flogged by militiamen in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo for wearing short skirts or trousers. (Photo: Courtesy).

Women and girls in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have been flogged by militiamen for wearing short skirts or trousers, the government said on Saturday.

In a statement quoted by Agence France-Presse, the government in Kinshasa vowed to punish the perpetrators.

Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde condemned the “degrading and inhuman abuses by the militiamen”, AFP quotes a statement from the country’s cabinet meeting published on Saturday.

PM Lukonde said the militia, who are imposing Islamic sharia punishments in the area under their control, had “recently flogged girls and women dressed in short skirts and trousers”.

A government delegation would be dispatched to the Salambila area, in the eastern province of Maniema – and report back so the perpetrators could be punished, AFP referenced Lukonde in a story.

The Malaika militia, which claims to represent the interests of local people, wants the government to hand over a bigger share of revenue from the Salamabila gold mines.

It is one of several armed groups that operate freely in the volatile, mineral-rich east of the vast Central African country.

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