### Kinshasa, June 8, 2025: towards better protection against sexual abuse in the health sector
The recently closed training workshop in Kinshasa, bringing together twenty-five provincial inspectors from the Ministry of Health, highlighted an often killing problem, but nevertheless omnipresent: sexual abuses and exploitation in the professional health environment. These discussions, far from being a simple administrative exercise, are part of a broader approach to awareness and prevention which deserves to be examined from different angles.
#### a worrying context
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has a complex history marked by armed conflicts and humanitarian crises which have, over the decades, exacerbated societal issues such as sexual exploitation. Studies, especially those carried out by non -governmental organizations, have documented alarming cases of gender -based violence, often perpetrated by actors in a position of power. In this context, the training of health inspectors represents a significant attempt to fight these drifts and build a safer working environment for all, especially for women and young girls.
#### Training objectives
José Kiala Makola, Pool Cheffe Inspector at the General Inspectorate of Health, said that the main objective of this workshop was to “fight sexual misconduct” at all levels of the health pyramid. During the five days of exchanges, various themes were discussed, ranging from the conduct of investigations to the management of complaints of abuse survivors. This systemic approach promotes a better understanding of the challenges by allowing future inspectors to become actors of change in their respective environments.
The choice to train professionals in charge of inspection and control is relevant. These actors often have an important influence on the implementation of health policies. By educating them on the ethical and legal responsibilities incumbent upon them, we can hope for a direct improvement in the denunciation of abuse and, consequently, a decrease in impunity.
#### Impact in the field and challenges to be met
The success of such initiatives is based not only on initial training, but also on the establishment of a sustainable support framework. As Ms. Makola pointed out, it is essential to “organize awareness” in parallel with these training courses. This generates a culture of denunciation and prevention within health institutions, often plagued by dynamics of unequal power.
However, several challenges remain. Mistrust of justice systems, often perceived as defaulting, can slow down the victims in their desire to speak. In addition, how to guarantee that trained inspectors will apply these new skills in an environment often marked by social taboos and cultural reluctance in the face of gender issues?
#### Towards a collective reflection
Ultimately, the fight against sexual abuse within the Ministry of Health in the DRC calls for collective reflection. What mechanisms can ensure that training results in concrete actions in the field? How to involve local communities to promote a lasting change in mentalities?
It will be crucial to assess the impact of this training in the months and years to come to answer these questions. The road is long, but each initiative as this represents a significant advance in the fight against exploitation and sexual abuse in the difficult context of the DRC.
Thus, this workshop in Kinshasa can be seen as a first step, necessary but insufficient, from a path to a tangible improvement in working conditions in the health sector. The vigilance and commitment of all the actors involved, including international organizations such as the World Health Organization, will probably be decisive to ensure that these efforts do not remain a dead letter.