Life in Congo – The Star

First, the rebels killed four of Joseph Munyaneza’s children in 1997. The family fled to another village. The following year, that village came under siege. Another four children died of gunshot wounds. Then the baby, of malnutrition. Today Munyaneza, a 52-year-old Protestant pastor tenderly cares for his 17-year-old daughter who is in hospital after being kidnapped by rebels a month ago. When the rebels tired of raping her skinny body, they forced a stick up her vagina until it protruded through her side.

This article may be used to:
1. As an example of a media which highlight the plight women and children in conflict situations.
2. The reversal of gender roles.
3. Highlights both male and female perspective in the news.
4. As an example of an article that shows civilian perspectives.
5. Language not what one normally expects on reports on war. While words like “rebels” and “violence” are used they are not glorified.

Story angle/ Perspective
The war in the Congo has resulted in untold suffering for the Congolese with both women and men paying the price. Children haven’t been spurred either. The article highlights the plight of women in conflict situations. Conflict disproportionately affects women. The conflict has amongst other evils seen women raped, it has also emerged that new forms of rape are used against women. These forms include foreign objects to rape women. Notwithstanding the pain and the humiliation this form of torture is dehumanising. The use of gender based violence particularly rape and taking in women as sex slaves is worrying as the use of gender based violence is fast becoming a weapon on the battle front. The war has lead also lead to such evil as robbery and other effects as a failing health care system which has lead to malnutrition .While the effects of robbery affect both fathers and mothers the same way it is a bit different when it comes to caring for mulnutritioned children. In Africa and perhaps every where else in the world caring of children largely remains a women’s domain. As such in cases where there is a sick child it is the mother who is expected to take care of the child.

Ironically the situation in the Congo is slowly leading to a reversal in gender roles. The article makes mention of a father who has had to became the primary care giver of his 17-year-old daughter who was repeatedly raped by rebels. The wiping out of families has meant that the surviving parent has had to assume roles that society regards as maternal.

Sources
The article is balanced and highlights both male and female perspectives. By highlighting both perspectives it gives a clear insight how conflict affects both men and women. By giving both perspectives the article challenges beliefs that men are not as affected as women are. Though their experiences might be different both are equally as affected. This civilian perspective goes a long way in portraying a human face to the conflict.

Language
The story is about conflict therefore words synonymous with conflict and war such as “rebel” ,”violence” and “fighting” are used. Though these words are largely associated with masculinity, the article tones them down. If not careful, reporters face the danger of glorifying conflict through careless use of such terms.

Visual images
There is a balance in the visuals used. The article shows visuals of both sexes in the story. The visual of the father accompanying his daughter for medical treatment stands out, the portrayal of a father in this supportive role challenges the gender stereotype that men are not caring and only women are care-givers. The little girl, though obviously in pain, is captured sitting up and facing the camera while in another she is pictured on her way to seek medical treatment. This portrays her as a saviour and not a victim.

Placement or positioning
The story is in the centre page of the newspaper and the title is in bold font making it easy for anyone reading the paper to find it. The use of visuals also makes it easy for anyone to find it.

Training exercises
– Discuss the value of images in a story.
– Discuss the value of appropriate language in a story.
– What are the challenges of reporting from a conflict situation.

Other Gender links related articles
– Congo rebels start to dig in
– On the front line of a country in chaos

Download : 12087_life_in_congo_newspaper_article.doc