The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing a crisis with rampant sexual violence against women and girls. Displaced people face danger when seeking resources outside camps due to armed rebel groups. An urgent international response is needed to address the violence and provide humanitarian aid.
This story was originally published by USA Today.
An epidemic of rape has devastated the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), but the global response has been muted. The conflict in the eastern region of this African nation has intensified significantly over the last two years. The combination of deep-rooted regional and ethnic conflicts, a weak central government, and ongoing disputes over land and resource ownership has fueled the growth of numerous rebel groups—now numbering approximately 120—that have battled government forces for more than a decade. The violence has escalated since the end of 2021, and attacks targeting women and girls have surged dramatically.
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At least 7 million people have been displaced in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), placing the crisis on par with Sudan in terms of scale. In recent months, the M23 rebel group has intensified its attacks, advancing towards Goma, the capital of eastern Congo and a critical hub for humanitarian aid. M23 forces have now surrounded the city, home to over 2 million people, blocking access to vital roads and food supplies.
Despite efforts to stabilize the region, peace remains distant. Just this month, according to the BBC, a missile strike killed three Tanzanian troops assisting government forces in Sake, the last major town before Goma.
Internally displaced people are living in makeshift camps with insufficient food, fuel, clean water, or shelter. The situation is worsening as more displaced individuals arrive in Goma each day. Funding and coordination of humanitarian aid are severely lacking. Gender-based violence is on the rise, with the rapid displacement and escalating conflict contributing to dangerous conditions for women and girls. Between 2021 and 2022, reports of sexual violence in North Kivu province surged by 91%. In January alone, 10,400 cases of sexual violence were reported by survivors.
This alarming increase in gender-based violence requires a robust international response. However, global focus has shifted elsewhere due to significant events like Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Sudan's descent into civil war, and Israel's large-scale military operations in Gaza. These crises have drawn attention away from Congo, reducing media coverage and public awareness.
The lack of global attention has led to a severe shortfall in humanitarian funding. Last year, foreign governments provided only about 40% of the financial aid needed to support internally displaced people in eastern Congo, according to the United Nations’ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. With a significant portion of that funding coming from Washington, the international community needs to prioritize Congo and address the gender-based violence crisis with a more focused and comprehensive approach.
This year, international donors have only met 16% of the United Nations' funding request to support humanitarian efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Of the funds received, a mere 0.4% is allocated to protecting women and girls from sexual violence. The shortage of aid impacts food distribution, with the World Food Program estimating a need for an additional $425 million over the next six months to meet basic food requirements.
A recent visit to the displacement camps by Refugees International revealed a harrowing situation for women across North Kivu province, particularly in areas near Virunga National Park. With limited and inconsistent aid, women and girls often have to venture into the woods to collect firewood, sometimes spending up to five or six hours, to sell for food and other necessities. These journeys expose them to sexual violence, frequently perpetrated by armed M23 soldiers. Even traveling in groups does not guarantee safety, as armed assailants tend to operate in groups as well.
A young mother with three children shared her ordeal with Refugees International, saying, "I travel alone, I am attacked. I travel with other women, I am attacked. It doesn't seem to matter to men with the guns. I have been raped twice in just the last year."
To improve the situation for women and girls in the DRC, several critical steps must be taken:
Without meaningful international attention and a genuine commitment to peace and safety, the ongoing crisis in the DRC, particularly the sexual violence against women and girls, is likely to persist or worsen.
