Conflict-related sexual violence in DR Congo has reached an alarming scale as armed groups intensify attacks on civilians while support systems for survivors collapse. Reports from Human Rights Watch and SOFEPADI confirm a sharp rise in sexual violence across eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly in areas affected by fighting involving Rwanda-backed M23 forces and other armed groups.
Funding cuts, especially reductions in US-backed health programs, have severely weakened access to lifesaving care. Survivors increasingly face closed clinics, limited medications, and a justice system unable to deliver accountability.
Funding Cuts Deepen A Growing Health Crisis
Reductions in USAID support have directly affected post-rape care services in eastern DR Congo. Clinics that once provided HIV post-exposure prophylaxis, emergency contraception, and trauma care now struggle to function. In July 2025, a survivor received a reduced supply of HIV medication due to shortages, underscoring how donor cuts translate into immediate harm.
US funding previously covered a large share of emergency sexual violence treatment. Without it, many health centers have closed or rationed essential supplies, leaving survivors exposed to preventable infections, unwanted pregnancies, and long-term health complications.
Human Rights Watch documentation shows sexual violence being systematically used by multiple armed actors, including M23 and other militias, to terrorize communities and assert control. Survivors report attacks during everyday activities such as gathering food or traveling between villages, highlighting the constant danger facing women and girls.
Official data indicates more than 80,000 rape cases were recorded in eastern DR Congo within eight months in 2025, a staggering escalation compared to previous years. Many incidents go unreported due to fear, stigma, and lack of access to services.
Impunity And Weak Accountability Persist
Impunity remains a central driver of conflict-related sexual violence in DR Congo. Perpetrators from armed groups and government forces are rarely investigated or prosecuted. Weak military discipline, limited judicial capacity, and corruption continue to undermine efforts to deliver justice.
Survivors attempting to seek justice often face intimidation, financial barriers, and dysfunctional courts. Reparations programs such as FONAREV exist on paper but have been plagued by delays and allegations of mismanagement.
Cuts to humanitarian funding have stripped survivors of comprehensive care. Medical treatment, psychological counseling, legal aid, and economic reintegration programs are all under strain. Health workers report shortages of trained staff and essential supplies, making recovery even more difficult for survivors already coping with trauma and social stigma.
Dr Elisabeth Furaha of SOFEPADI warns that clinics dedicated to gender-based violence cases are operating at the brink of collapse, leaving survivors with nowhere to turn.
Urgent Calls For Action
International law, including the Geneva Conventions, strictly prohibits sexual violence during armed conflict. Violations in eastern DR Congo demand urgent and coordinated action from national authorities and international partners.
Congolese authorities are urged to strengthen military discipline, expand investigations into sexual violence crimes, and ensure survivor-centered justice. International donors, particularly the United States, face growing pressure to restore funding for post-rape healthcare and accountability mechanisms.
Key Takeaways
- Conflict-related sexual violence in DR Congo has surged to extreme levels, with over 80,000 cases reported in parts of eastern Congo in 2025.
- USAID funding cuts have led to clinic closures, medication shortages, and reduced access to lifesaving post-rape care.
- Armed groups continue to use sexual violence as a tactic of war, targeting civilians during everyday activities.
- Impunity for perpetrators remains widespread due to weak investigations and limited judicial capacity.
- Survivors urgently need restored funding for healthcare, psychological support, legal aid, and economic reintegration.
- International donors and the Congolese government must act quickly to prevent further harm and ensure accountability.
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