Enough Project and Women for Women March for Congolese Women, March 2010

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Credit: Saratu Abiola/AllAfrica

Enough Project and Women for Women International put together one of 102 events in 18 countries to raise awareness of the plight of women in Congo who have been repeatedly brutalized in the war over mineral resources in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Here, the organizers with WFW International gather with the COO Andrée Simon, left of the center, around sign at the rally.
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Credit: Saratu Abiola/AllAfrica

The activists for Women for Women International distributed these shirts among the crowd to wear while marching.
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Credit: Saratu Abiola/AllAfrica

Enough Project and WFW activists spoke with members of the media, explaining the purpose of the march.
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Credit: Saratu Abiola/AllAfrica

Enough Project signs at the rally.
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Credit: Saratu Abiola/AllAfrica

At 12:30 on a warm spring day, the WFW-Enough rally officially started and the participants began their march.
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Credit: Saratu Abiola/AllAfrica

After signs were picked up signs after (an organizer jokingly promised free coffee to all who sign-carriers), the rally was on.
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Credit: Saratu Abiola/AllAfrica

The road ahead -- towards the Lincoln Memorial
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Credit: Saratu Abiola/AllAfrica

At every turn, the reason why they all gathered.
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Credit: Saratu Abiola/AllAfrica

Participants at the rally peacefully marched their way towards the Memorial Bridge, which they will cross to reach the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
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Credit: Saratu Abiola/AllAfrica

Big smiles on the faces of all who were present.
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Credit: Saratu Abiola/AllAfrica

The crowd peacefully marched their way across the Memorial Bridge.....
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Credit: Saratu Abiola/AllAfrica

And, after crossing the bridge, towards the Lincoln Memorial steps.
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Both groups -- WFW and Enough -- sat together as they waited to hear from their guest speakers.
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Credit: Saratu Abiola/AllAfrica

Candice Knezevic, Enough Project RAISE Hope for Congo campaign manager, thanked them all for coming and urged everyone present to "use [their] power as consumer and demand conflict-free products" in order to stop the war on resources in the Congo that "uses rape as a weapon" and treats women's dignity as "collateral damage".
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Credit: Saratu Abiola/AllAfrica

Andrée Simon, COO of Women for Women International, told the story of a women she knew in the Congo who had been raped and was forced to watch her son get killed. "This is a story," she said to a somber crowd, "that no woman should have to tell."
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Credit: Saratu Abiola/AllAfrica

"I know that the NGOs in this country do a lot but we have to do more, " said Sylvie Muanga Mbanga, a human rights lawyer and advocate for women's rights. She advocates pressure on the Rwandan and Ugandan governments to negotiate with the militias, and pressure on the Congolese government to protect its own citizens.
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Credit: Saratu Abiola/AllAfrica

Speakers and participants together. Group photo!