Transferred members of the community who have left the M23 conflict leave doctors without borders … more
In January 2025, the situation in the Congo People’s Republic (DRC) escalated by the fight against government forces and the armed group M23 backed by Rwanda. The M23 Rebels occupied Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu, and began closing in the city of Bukavu, the capital of the South Kivu province. This has led to hundreds of thousands to be forced to abandon and seek security in indoor displaced camps (IDPS). In February, the M23 occupied Bukavu.
The hostilities unfold in a rich in minerals that have been volatile for decades in the midst of a multiplication of armed groups. The UN reports that intensive hostilities are shocking communities, with IDP camps evacuating as people abandon violence. Medical services are overwhelmed by the number of injured, including civilians.
In April 2025, the UN said that the use of sexual violence in the region has reached amazing proportions. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported thousands of new cases in just two months – evidence that it is used as a systematic weapon of war and deliberate terrorism tactics. James Elder, Unicef Representative, were explained The impact of crime on children: “Children could represent up to 45% of the nearly 10,000 cases of rape and sexual violence documented in January and February, amid increased tensions between half hours.
The UNICEF spokesman also warned that the already terrible situation is deteriorating a growing funding deficit. Critical services for survivors – such as medical care, psychological support and legal assistance – are seriously affected by funding cuts. If the funding gap is not full, UNICEF estimates that 250,000 children will lose basic violence and gender -based and protection services in armed conflict only in the next 12 weeks. In response, UNICEF calls Additional prevention attempts, services focusing on survivors and safe, accessible ways for survivors to report without fear.
UNICEF warnings add to the ever -increasing number of reports on the use of sexual violence derived from the GDC. As Rwanda supported M23 have been seized in the control of the basic sectors, reports have emerged broad use of sexual violence, especially against women and girls. In the North Kivu Goma area, about 500 cases of sexual violence were referenced Within a week after the M23 invasion, with more than 150 of the cases involving children. In January, during prison breaks, at least 150 female prisoners were raped Before the majority they are then burned alive. In March 2025, the UN indicated That 895 cases of rape were reported to humanitarian actors in the last two weeks of February only – on average more than 60 people who were in a hurry.
The use of sexual violence as a war weapon in the GDC has a long history coming from colonial occupation and continues to this day. Despite the positive measures to deal with it, prevention is still a promise that has not yet been fulfilled. Some accountability measures help to emerge how justice could be achieved, however, it is only a fall in the ocean. Continuing hostilities include the deliberate use of sexual violence and also create conditions for impunity such violence.
Since the CRC is still sealing for militias, including the M23, and other neighboring countries, instability will create the perfect conditions to commit atrocity crimes. In such conditions, women and girls will always be at risk of sexual violence. This is the living reality of women and girls, as it manifests in front of our eyes, demanding urgent and comprehensive answers.
