After a decade researching human rights violations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for Amnesty International, Andrew Philip believes there is no worse place on earth to be female.

"I have collected hundreds of pages of evidence of mass-rape, sexual slavery and child abuse by soldiers against the women and children of the DRC over the years. And yet the country still retains the capacity to shock me.

"On my last visit I was introduced to a survivor of rape called Bienvenue. Just six years old, she was taken from her home by a fighter whilst her parents were out working in fields near by.

When they came back to look for her, neighbours said they had seen a soldier taking her into the forest. After conducting a frantic search, her parents eventually found Bienvenue crying on a path leading from the woods. Her father took her to a hospital in Goma, where medical staff informed him that his daughter had been raped.

As is so often the case, Bienvenue's suffering continued long after the attack itself. She developed a serious genital infection and was so traumatised that she lost her ability to speak. It was only after a month of care that she found her voice again."

Shocking stories like Bienvenue's are all too common in the DRC. No one is being held to account for these horrific crimes.

Unheard pleas for justice

Andrew's role as a researcher in the DRC has brought him into contact with hundreds of rape survivors like Bienvenue over the years, as well as courageous Congolese human rights activists.

When he asks them what must be done to make things better in the DRC, they all tell Andrew the same thing;

"To end the rape, first there must be an end to the culture of impunity that allows soldiers to commit sexual violence without fear of justice.

In the words of one of the survivors that Andrew spoke with 'there is anger in the community that nothing is done to punish the perpetrators. I have seen the men since the attack and feel frightened. They have passed through my village several times'.

Andrew firmly believes that to bring about justice, those in command of soldiers must take immediate action to bring perpetrators and their protectors to a court of law that meets international standards.

"This is not optional. If we are to see an end to the atrocities I have borne witness to in DRC, it is an absolute necessity. Thankfully, I am glad to say that this is something those with the power to enforce this fundamental change in military culture appear to be waking up to."

A glimmer of hope for the future

Andrew's reports from the frontline have played an important role in exposing the suffering of the women and children of the DRC to the rest of the world.

By providing direct evidence of large-scale human rights violations, he is working to ensure that those with the power to protect the women of the DRC are held to their responsibilities.

It is a role that has helped to bring about real and positive change:

"Over the past few years, the laws surrounding sexual violence have been greatly strengthened, and this has been a very positive first step.

In January 2008, a peace conference was held that led to the creation of an ambitious government-led scheme which aimed, among other things, to establish accountability for violations against human rights.

On an international level, the UN Security Council's adoption of Resolution 1820 confirmed the legal right of the United Nations to use peacekeeping forces to combat sexual violence.

There is increasing recognition at home and abroad that, to end the sexual violence, it is crucial that the judicial systems in the DRC are strengthened. And this is a real breakthrough."

Change cannot come soon enough

In spite of the promise held by these initiatives, it is clear from the harrowing accounts being recorded by Andrew that the human rights situation for women and children in the DRC remains desperate.

The reason for this is quite simply a failure of commitment.

Andrew is convinced that real change will happen, and that it is no longer a matter of 'if' but 'when' the nightmare of rape in the DRC is brought to an end:

"The considerable progress made so far tells us that we have the power to help stop these violations. Our task now is to use that power to pile pressure on the Congolese government, the opposition leaders and the United Nations to make good on their words.

One day this will all be history and people will look back on it with immense sadness and immense regret, but women in the Congo will have a better life, so let's get there as quickly as we can."

Andrew Philip is one of several Amnesty International researchers working on the frontline to expose human rights abuses around the world. His work is only made possible through the generosity of our supporters.

Please help end rape as a weapon of war and bring justice to the women of the DRC by making a donation today.