Survivors Rebuild Lives Amid Surge in Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in DRC
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, women and girls face a dramatic surge in conflict-related sexual violence as armed groups intensify attacks on civilians. The United Nations Joint Human Rights Office recorded 1,534 survivors in 2025, though stigma suggests actual numbers are higher. The article highlights the story of Maman Masika, who was abducted and subjected to brutal assault by rebels in North Kivu. After escaping captivity, she fled to Beni, where she received critical physical and psychosocial support from a UNFPA-supported center at Beni General Referral Hospital. Despite initial business failures and further looting by armed men, Masika is rebuilding her life through economic assistance from the National Fund for Reparations for Victims of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence. Her journey illustrates the broader struggle for recovery, emphasizing the importance of integrated healthcare, legal aid, and economic empowerment for survivors. The report underscores the urgent need for continued international support to help victims overcome trauma and achieve self-sufficiency amidst ongoing instability.
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Survivors Rebuild Lives Amid Surge in Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in DRC
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, women and girls face a dramatic surge in conflict-related sexual violence as armed groups intensify attacks on civilians. The United Nations Joint Human Rights Office recorded 1,534 survivors in 2025, though stigma suggests actual numbers are higher. The article highlights the story of Maman Masika, who was abducted and subjected to brutal assault by rebels in North Kivu. After escaping captivity, she fled to Beni, where she received critical physical and psychosocial support from a UNFPA-supported center at Beni General Referral Hospital. Despite initial business failures and further looting by armed men, Masika is rebuilding her life through economic assistance from the National Fund for Reparations for Victims of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence. Her journey illustrates the broader struggle for recovery, emphasizing the importance of integrated healthcare, legal aid, and economic empowerment for survivors. The report underscores the urgent need for continued international support to help victims overcome trauma and achieve self-sufficiency amidst ongoing instability.
United Nations<br>Population Fund