Class Year
2016
Document Type
Student Research Paper
Date of Creation
Spring 2015
Department 1
Anthropology
Abstract
This paper addresses the large-scale sexual violence that has taken place (and still continues) within the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) using critical discourse analysis. Disturbing statistics have resulted in the identification of the DRC as the "rape capital of the world," and a variety of national, regional, and international actors have employed sexual violence as a weapon of war. Victims frequently receive little assistance, perpetrators act without fear of serious repercussions, and the government of the DRC fails to successfully implement relative legislation. Through an investigation of the discourse surrounding victims, perpetrators, and political institutions respectively, I will develop an understanding of how specific language portrays each of these participants in multiple reports and publications, and how this discourse can shape one's perspective of the complex situation the DRC faces involving sexual violence.
Copyright Note
This is the author's version of the work. This publication appears in Gettysburg College's institutional repository by permission of the copyright owner for personal use, not for redistribution.
Recommended Citation
Kaste, Amanda R., "Investigating Sexual Violence as a Weapon of War in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Through Critical Discourse Analysis" (2015). Student Publications. 320.
https://cupola.gettysburg.edu/student_scholarship/320
Included in
African Studies Commons, Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence Commons, Gender and Sexuality Commons, Peace and Conflict Studies Commons, Social and Cultural Anthropology Commons, Women's Studies Commons
Comments
This paper was written for Professor Amy Evrard's course, ANTH 304: Anthropology of Violence and Conflict, Spring 2015.