MATADI, Democratic Republic of the Congo – Ngoma is deaf, so she didn’t hear the group of boys as they snuck up behind her on a road in her hometown of Matadi, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. “They ambushed me, then dragged me to a secluded area and abused me,” she told UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. After the rape, she didn’t know
Kinshasa
Democratic-republic-of-the-congo
Norway
Matadi
Bas-congo
Kongo
Ngoma
Nord-kivu
Jean-jacques-diafuka
United-nations
Democratic-republic
Vocational-education
Ngoma is deaf, so she didn’t hear the group of boys as they snuck up behind her on a road in her hometown of Matadi, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.“They ambushed me, then dragged me to a secluded area and abused me,” she told UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. After the attack, she didn’t know where to turn. “They took advantage of my disability to commit their crime, going so far as to make me a mother,” she said.Ngoma gave birth at just 15 years old – she was still a child. But she was also determined not to let the violence she was subjected to interrupt her future chances in life. “I came back after giving birth to continue my schooling, despite what I lived through.”Ngoma’s child is living with her parents in another city, while she finishes her studies at the Espérance school – a facility for people with a hearing and/or speech impairment. This year, her class is being taught comprehensive sexuality education, thro
Kongo
Bas-congo
Democratic-republic-of-the-congo
Matadi
Kinshasa
Norway
Ngoma
Nord-kivu
Jean-jacques-diafuka
United-nations
Democratic-republic
Vocational-education