A daily nightmare is experienced by civilians in, in a , with a weapon that leaves families shattered and communities destroyed. It’s about sexual violence.
17-year-old Salima lives in fear, haunted by the eight months of sexual violence she suffered at the hands of M23 rebels. Her story is just one of hundreds, as gunmen use rape to terrorize entire communities, causing psychological and physical harm to survivors. Sexual violence has skyrocketed, with a child raped every 30 minutes in the area, making it one of the most horrific crises in decades.
War on Terror: The M23 Rebels and the War on Women and Children
The M23 rebels, with the support of Rwanda, are systematically using sexual violence in their struggle to destabilize the Democratic Republic of Congo. From mass rape to forced enlistment of children, the rebels leave destruction in their wake.
She spoke to 46 women and girls who had been victims of repeated abuse by Congolese rebels and military forces. Many of them were raped daily, often several times a day. For some, like Simone, the violence left permanent, vital damage.
Doctor’s warning: Congo crisis ‘more horrific than ever’
Nobel Peace Prize-winning gynecologist Denis Mukwege, who has spent decades treating survivors of sexual violence, says Congo is living through the worst period in its history. The increase in minor victims is alarming.
Over 30% of rape victims treated at Panzi Hospital are girls aged 12 to 17 years. His hospital, which has treated more than 80,000 survivors, remains vital in a country where sexual violence has become a war strategy, targeting not just individuals but entire communities.
Peace talks vs. Reality: The Unfathomable Issues of the Congo Crisis
While international leaders such as , welcomed the peace agreement signed in Washington as a step towards an end to the violence, the situation on the ground tells a different story.
M23 rebels continue to advance, capturing strategic areas such as the city of Goma. Ongoing violence and sexual abuse, combined with failed peace initiatives, highlight the gap between political promises and the harsh reality experienced by Congolese women and children.
The Invisible Survivors: Rape, Stigma and the Struggle for Survival
Survivors like Salima often suffer in silence. In a country where the social stigma surrounding sexual violence is strong, many victims are afraid to speak out. Hospital workers and humanitarian organizations face threats from armed groups such as M23, who seek to silence those documenting these war crimes. The world is beginning to realize the magnitude of the tragedy, but for those experiencing it, the healing process remains a distant hope.
The fight for justice and the difficulty of recovery
Despite the pain and loss, survivors are fighting for justice, recognition and access to the medical and psychological care they so desperately need. However, with critical humanitarian aid being cut dramatically following Trump’s decisions and local hospitals overburdened, many remain without much-needed support. As international attention shifts, victims’ need for protection and justice remains urgent.
The world is watching as Congo experiences one of the worst humanitarian crises of the 21st century. Sexual violence remains a powerful weapon of war, used by all sides of the conflict, devastating a generation of women and children. Hope for peace and healing appears to be fading as Salima, Simone and countless other victims fight for their lives and dignity in a war that never seems to end.
