Physicians for Human Rights record increase in rape cases in Eastern DRC

A new report published by a medical charity known as Physicians for Human Rights says the armed conflict in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo has led to a massive increase in cases of sexual violence against women and girls. Chris Ocamringa reports. 

The eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has witnessed a sharp increase in conflict-related sexual violence since 2021, compounding the suffering caused by decades of turmoil stemming from regional tensions among various armed groups and competition over valuable mineral resources.

The resurgence of the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group in 2021 has intensified the crisis, resulting in widespread displacement, a weakened healthcare system, food insecurity, and a significant rise in sexual and gender-based violence. The withdrawal of peacekeeping forces, such as the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) and the East African Community Regional Force (EAC-RF), has raised alarms about the potential for worsening the humanitarian situation.

In their report, the medical charity highlighted incidents of conflict-related sexual violence affecting both adults and children in eastern DRC. The findings are derived from semi-structured interviews with 16 healthcare professionals and humanitarian workers operating in conflict-affected regions of North and South Kivu, detailing their experiences in providing care to survivors through a survivor-centered research approach.