The surge in sexual violence against women and girls in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) demands urgent global concern.
Development Diaries reports that the United Nations recently warned that women and girls in the DRC are trapped in one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises and face rampant insecurity.
According to the Director of Humanitarian Affairs at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Shoko Arakaki, essential services have been severely disrupted, while incidents of rape and conflict-related sexual violence have surged by a third compared to last year.
This is an indication that the situation is getting worse.
At the same time, three women die every hour from pregnancy- and childbirth-related causes, many of which could have been prevented with proper care.
The breakdown of essential services means women are now facing a double crisis: violence and lack of healthcare, both of which are direct consequences of continued insecurity.
For nearly three decades, eastern DRC has been trapped in cycles of violence driven by armed groups competing for control of land and mineral-rich areas.
Since the First Congo War in 1996, the region has seen constant fighting, leading to over six million deaths — one of the deadliest conflicts since World War II.
In early 2025, fighting between Congo’s security forces and the M23 rebel escalated, ending with M23 taking control of Goma, the main city in eastern Congo near the border with Rwanda.
Today, millions remain displaced, and sexual violence continues to be used as a weapon of war to terrorise communities.
Despite numerous peace agreements and international interventions, lawlessness and weak governance have allowed these abuses to continue, trapping the country in an unending humanitarian nightmare.
Women and girls in displacement camps remain among the most vulnerable. Reports show that incidents of sexual exploitation, coercion, and abuse are widespread in these overcrowded camps, where security is almost nonexistent.
Hunger and poverty make things even worse. the UN estimates that 27 million people will need humanitarian aid in 2025, a figure that reflects both the deepening crisis and the global neglect of the DRC’s suffering.
Survivors often lack access to medical treatment, psychological support, or justice, reinforcing a culture of silence and impunity.
The UN’s call is clear and urgent: all warring parties must respect their legal obligations to protect civilians, safeguard health facilities, and allow safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid.
Governments, donors, and international actors must also step up funding for lifesaving services like those provided by UNFPA.
