The various types of violence exerted on women through war economies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo were addressed Thursday afternoon in the Scott-Hawkins Lecture Series.

Professor Meredeth Turshen of Rutgers University highlighted wartime violence experiences against women in war economies and how violence movements against women are prevalent in conflict zones.

“The criminal and legitimate activities around mining are interlocked in border zones of conflict areas,” Turshen said. “The interaction of criminal organizations and legitimate corporations is commonplace in these areas.”

New war economies, which are consequent to globalization, structural adjustment and instability, were developed to secure new sources of funding for power and control after the Cold War, Turshen said.

These new war economies offer more opportunities for both men and women but tend to negatively impact women.

“Bureaucracies cut back and cost women the decent work they were just becoming qualified to perform,” Turshen said.

According to Turshen, the depleting economy in the country is forcing women to work in shadow economies: dealing black market goods, engaging in sex work, looting and in extreme cases, smuggling, trafficking and predatory lending.

Shadow economies create opportunities for violence, especially towards women.

“There is an average of 1,150 women raped everyday between the ages of 15 years old and 49 years old,” Turshen said.

Though the U.N. has set up many refugee camps to house victims, the conditions are far from homey. Huts are comprised of sticks, spare plastic pieces and mud that provide little insulation.

U.N. workers watch over the people from behind wire, though protection is not entirely guaranteed at the camps either.

“There have been reports of U.N. workers having sex with young girls,” Turshen said.

However, not all women are victims in the Congo. Many are active in supporting armed conflict.

Many women are involved in cross-border smuggling, ranging from running barrels of oil to crates of drinks. Women have also been involved in the criminal underworld, contributing to crimes such as gunrunning, drug smuggling and human trafficking.

“We need to understand the causes of violence and how they are embedded in concepts of trade and how deeply rooted these systems are in markets,” Turshen said.