Women religious watch on a monitor outside the cathedral as Pope Francis leads a prayer meeting with priests, religious and seminarians Feb. 2, 2023, in Our Lady of the Congo Cathedral in Kinshasa, Congo. Catholic bishops from Europe and Africa in a joint statement May 21, 2025, warned that Africa is again becoming a "battleground for external interests," and have demanded an end to "land grabbing" across the continent. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) According to aid workers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, sexual violence against women and girls is on the rise. “The systematic use of rape as a weapon of war is not only a violation of human rights, but also a targeted strategy to destabilise communities,” said the country director of the aid organisation Care, Amadou Bocoum, on Friday.
The organisation cites UN data. According to this, around 67,000 cases of sexual assault were reported in the civil war country in the first four months of the year. This is an increase of 38 per cent compared to the same period last year. “The stories we hear every day are harrowing. Women and girls are subjected to unimaginable cruelty. Their lives are forever changed by violence and deprivation,” says Bocoum. In addition, many of those affected do not dare to report their offences for fear of social rejection by their families and communities.
In the east of the country in particular, the situation is extremely unstable due to conflicts between the army and rebels supported by neighbouring Rwanda. Roads are impassable and medical supplies can hardly be brought to the people. These include so-called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) kits for rape victims, which can be used to prevent pregnancies and HIV infections. The lack of these means that more and more affected women are left without support, said Bocoum. “The international community cannot turn a blind eye to this crisis. Immediate and sustainable measures are needed to preserve the dignity of women and girls,” the expert demanded.