'Men for an End to Violence against Women', a slogan on a T-shirt in Santa Marta. Credit:Fabiana Frayssinet/IPS

By Fabiana Frayssinet

RIO DE JANEIRO, Jul 19, 2010 (IPS) – It’s Friday night, and in a “favela” (shanty town) in this Brazilian city, a group of men relax with a beer after a hard week, while a song can be heard above the rowdy chatter.
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FARDC troops on parade: activists fear continuing efforts to drive out rebels only intensifies violence against civilians - even by the army itself. Credit: Eddy Isango/IRIN

JOHANNESBURG, Jun 17, 2010 (IPS) – Operation Amani Leo, launched jointly by MONUC (the United Nations Mission in Congo) and FARDC (the Congolese army) in January to regain control of mining territories in the eastern provinces of North and South Kivu from rebels, while ensuring security for the local population has been extended to September. But Congolese women are arguing for changes in the conduct of military operations. Continue Reading