Iboko, 9 March 2011- In Equateur province, the United Nations marked the International Women's Day with activities to raise public awareness on the issue of violence against women. This choice was not fortuitous, as the condition of women in Iboko, as in much of Equateur, is appalling.

As part of Bikoro territory, Iboko is one of those places where discrimination against women and girls is coupled with on ethnic bias.

In this locality of 80,000 dwellers, women of the Pygmy community are regarded as sub-humans by the Bantu, with whom they share the land. A Bantu man will not buy or eat from a Pygmy woman; or a Bantu will not marry a Pygmy, just as a Bantu woman will usually avoid fetching water at the same source as a Pygmy. Sexual violence committed against Pygmy women is almost never reported.

The celebration of 8 March was, therefore, an opportunity for the United Nations to harp on the the principle of "equality for all Congolese,' as enshrined in the Congolese constitution.

"There are no second-class Congolese citizens, nor are there inferior or superior Congolese citizens; there are only Congolese full stop," said regional head of MONUSCO Public Information Office in his speech.

On her part, Charlotte Mboma, of the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office, warned that "such discriminatory practices are contrary to the Congolese constitution and therefore punishable by law."

Jean-Tobie Okala/ MONUSCO