In the heart of the city of Bunia, in the Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, an alarming scourge is affecting hundreds of displaced women and girls: gender-based sexual violence. Since last August, the NGO Solidarité Féminine pour la Paix et le Développement Intégral (SOFEPADI) has recorded no fewer than one hundred and seventy-five cases of this unspeakable abuse.
According to the poignant testimonies collected by Noella Alifwa, coordinator of SOFEPADI in Bunia, the majority of victims are war displaced people, most of whom are under 18 years old. A tragic observation that reveals the extreme vulnerability of these women and girls, already scarred by the horrors of the armed conflict raging in the region.
The consequences of this violence are devastating: sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancies, deep psychological trauma… Faced with this distress, the NGO SOFEPADI is mobilizing on the ground to offer victims comprehensive care. From medical and psychological support to legal assistance, including socio-economic reintegration, every aspect of the physical and emotional reconstruction of survivors is taken care of with dedication.
Noella Alifwa warns against the silence surrounding these heinous acts, emphasizing the importance of denouncing the aggressors to break the cycle of violence and allow victims to regain their dignity. She points out the precarious living conditions in the displacement sites, exacerbating the risk of sexual violence.
Beyond the urgency of the situation, the SOFEPADI coordinator calls for a long-term solution: the return of peace in the regions of origin of the displaced persons. Because it is by ensuring security and stability that we can truly protect the most vulnerable and put an end to this human tragedy that is hitting the women and girls of Bunia hard.
Ultimately, the fight against gender-based sexual violence cannot be dissociated from the broader quest for justice, dignity and respect for the fundamental rights of each individual. The fight for a better future for all must be tirelessly pursued, in a spirit of solidarity and empathy towards the most vulnerable in our society.