For hundreds of thousands of displaced people living in camps around Goma, survival is a daily challenge. However, this struggle for survival is even more difficult for women, who face many dangers, including sexual assault. Every day, around 70 women victims of sexual assault present themselves at the structures set up by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in the camps of Lushagala, Bulengo, Elohim, Shabindu, Rusayo and Kanyaruchinya. This situation is unacceptable and requires urgent action from humanitarian actors, donors and Congolese authorities in order to improve the living conditions of women and reduce the risks of attack.
Women in the camps find themselves in a desperate situation. As the head of the family, often alone, they must leave the camps to look for wood and food, thus exposing themselves to the risk of violence, particularly sexual violence. According to information provided by MSF, in July alone, 1,500 women victims of sexual violence went to the sites of Rusayo, Shabindu and Elohim to receive care. This number represents a 2.5 times increase from May. Alarmingly, these attacks occur not only outside the camps, but also inside them, where tents do not close properly and women are exposed to sexual exploitation and abuse.
The consequences of these attacks are devastating for women and their families. A young woman living in the Rusayo camp testifies about her experience: after being attacked, her husband abandoned her and she found herself alone with her 4 children. This highlights the need for comprehensive care of women in the camps, offering not only medical and psychological care, but also support with contraception, treatment of sexually transmitted diseases and termination of pregnancy. , if necessary.
MSF teams work tirelessly to support women victims of sexual violence. In addition to providing medical and psychological care, they help combat stigma by making women aware of available services and encouraging them to seek help. Community mobilizers play a crucial role in this, informing rural residents and directing them to clinics where they can receive appropriate care and support.
It is essential that the situation of women in the camps is an absolute priority for humanitarian actors and the Congolese authorities. It is imperative to strengthen security in the camps, improve infrastructure and living conditions, and put in place mechanisms to prevent and respond to sexual violence. Displaced women have already lost their homes, families and security. It is our duty to provide them with the support they need to rebuild their lives and regain their dignity.