Breaking the Silence: Addressing Sexual Violence in the DRC

Global Strategic Communications - The sexual violence crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo demands urgent international attention. Armed conflict, displacement, and weak governance exacerbate the threat to women and children. Explore why global intervention is needed now more than ever.

Editorial:
In the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a humanitarian catastrophe unfolds daily, largely unnoticed by the global community. Sexual violence has become a weapon of war, targeting the most vulnerable—women and children—trapped in displacement camps and conflict zones. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) treated over 25,000 survivors of sexual violence in 2023 alone, with 91% of these cases occurring in war-torn North Kivu. These numbers are harrowing, yet they only scratch the surface of the suffering endured.

Take Marie, a mother who was attacked while gathering firewood near an IDP camp in North Kivu. Her story is not unique. Many women in the DRC face the same brutal reality daily, assaulted by armed men while trying to provide for their families. In areas around Goma, armed conflict has exacerbated displacement, forcing more than 600,000 people into unsafe camps where basic security is lacking. Women and girls, especially, face overwhelming threats of violence as they navigate these dangerous environments??.
Henriette, an MSF community liaison officer, recounted a similar story: “Living conditions are very difficult here... Sometimes, men wake up in the middle of the night, cut their tarpaulin with a razor, and pierce the canvas next to them to rape women who live alone”?. One woman she worked with was so severely beaten during her attack that she couldn’t walk afterward. Like so many others, she faced ongoing trauma—physically injured and emotionally broken—living in constant fear of further attacks?.

However, the individual stories of victims like Marie and those documented by Henriette are just one aspect of a much larger crisis, one that demands urgent global attention. According to the Peacekeeper Insight report, the situation in the DRC presents an extreme risk environment due to a combination of ongoing armed conflict, weak governance, displacement, and a severe lack of accountability. The risk of sexual violence is expected to worsen without immediate interventions?.

Risk Assessment: The Mounting Crisis

The Peacekeeper Insight report highlights several critical factors fueling the DRC's sexual violence epidemic:

1. Armed Conflict and Sexual Violence: Armed groups such as M23, CODECO, and the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) continue to use sexual violence as a weapon of war, spreading terror among civilian populations. The report assigns this threat a 25/25 risk rating, noting that the presence of these groups in North and South Kivu has created an environment where law and order have all but collapsed?.

2. Displacement and Vulnerability: The ongoing displacement crisis compounds the problem. In camps surrounding Goma, overcrowded and lacking basic infrastructure, thousands of displaced women are forced to venture out into dangerous areas for firewood or food. The Peacekeeper Insight report estimates the risk of violence in these displacement camps as very high (20/25), driven by the concentration of armed men nearby??.

3. Impunity and Governance Failures: The DRC's judicial system is plagued by corruption and inefficiency, allowing perpetrators of sexual violence to act with impunity. Amnesty International reported that over 38,000 cases of sexual violence were recorded in North Kivu alone during the first quarter of 2023?. Despite legal frameworks in place to protect women, implementation remains weak, and the likelihood of justice for survivors remains low?.

4. MONUSCO Withdrawal and Diminished Security: The phased withdrawal of MONUSCO, the UN peacekeeping mission, further exacerbates insecurity. As MONUSCO’s presence diminishes, the vacuum left behind will likely allow armed groups to intensify their activities. The Peacekeeper Insight report warns of a potential surge in violence unless local security forces are adequately supported—a high risk (16/25) scenario?.

Global Implications: A Crisis Beyond Borders

This is not merely a Congolese crisis; the instability in the DRC has global ramifications. The ongoing violence and displacement have led to refugee flows, trafficking, and environmental exploitation that affect regions far beyond Central Africa. Humanitarian organizations, including MSF, have called for a stronger international response to this crisis. MSF reports that in some IDP camps, as many as 100 victims of sexual violence are treated per day?. The persistent violence is driving a humanitarian disaster that demands immediate global attention.

A Call for Immediate Action

For too long, the DRC’s sexual violence epidemic has been sidelined in global discussions. While diplomatic efforts focus on political stability, the international community must urgently address the humanitarian crisis on the ground. The solutions are clear, but they require action:

1. Strengthen Security in Displacement Camps: The presence of armed groups near IDP camps is intolerable. The international community must pressure the DRC government and its partners to ensure the safety of these camps. This includes deploying peacekeeping forces to protect civilians and establishing secure zones where women and children can live without fear??.

2. Expand Access to Medical and Psychological Services: Victims of sexual violence require immediate, comprehensive care. MSF data shows that nearly 10,000 survivors needed psychological follow-up in 2023 alone?. Expanding healthcare services in conflict zones is essential to address the long-term trauma faced by survivors.

3. End Impunity and Enforce Justice: The DRC government must be held accountable for enforcing its own laws. Despite legal protections, survivors rarely see justice. International pressure is needed to ensure that perpetrators are prosecuted, and victims are provided with the legal support they need?.

4. Address Economic Vulnerability: Women in displacement camps often face sexual exploitation due to extreme poverty. Programs that provide food assistance and income-generating activities, particularly for women-headed households, are crucial to reducing their vulnerability??.

Conclusion: The Urgency of Global Action

The DRC is on the brink of an even greater disaster. Without immediate and comprehensive intervention from the international community, the sexual violence epidemic will continue to ravage this country, claiming more victims every day. Addressing this crisis requires a global response, one that combines humanitarian aid, legal reforms, and strengthened governance.

The plight of millions of women and children in the DRC should serve as a call to action for world leaders, human rights organizations, and citizens alike. If we fail to act, the consequences will reverberate beyond the borders of the DRC, destabilizing the region and further entrenching a culture of violence.

The time for action is now.