Women victims of sexual violence in armed conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

Summary Context The conflict in the East of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is one of the most deadly conflicts that there has been since the Second World War. The main author has been working in South Kivu for ten years now. During the course of her numerous assignments, she has been confronted with particular situations of women who are victims of sexual violence and the consequences of rape. The current gaps in the provision of care for victims include a lack of healthcare infrastructure, an insufficient number of psychotherapists, and challenges associated with socio-economic reintegration. Method This study is based on sexual health counselling and on a survey done on women who are victims of rape in rural environments and who are being cared for in the Panzi hospitals of reference in South Kivu. Results The article presents the situation as a whole, a study of three illustrative cases and recommendations for an improvement in care. Sexual health and reproduction form an integral part of the improvement of life in general and are possible only if human rights are respected.