In a gesture of support, Rose Mutombo, Minister of State in charge of Justice, accompanied by the Attorney General of the ICC, went to Panzi hospital in South Kivu to comfort survivors of sexual violence based on gender (VSBG). The visit was an opportunity to deliver memoranda demanding justice and reparation for survivors, as well as investigations to identify those responsible and punish them.
The Minister expressed her deep regret for the suffering suffered by the victims and promised that the government would work hard to stop it. She also encouraged the survivors to stay strong and believe in the future, reminding them that their lives do not end here and that they could one day become important people for the country.
This visit, beyond its message of hope, was an opportunity to raise public awareness of SGBV which continues in the country despite efforts to end it. The victims of these attacks are often stigmatized and ostracized by their community, and many suffer in silence. Rose Mutombo’s visit thus reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the fight against SGBV and its support for victims.
Finally, this visit also shows the importance of collaboration between the different actors to put an end to SGBV in the DRC. Local authorities, international agencies and communities must work together to prevent such violence and protect vulnerable people. Rose Mutombo’s visit is an important example to encourage this collaboration and maintain the commitment to the protection of human rights in the DRC