Democratic Republic of Congo: The Rape Capital of the World

Female victims of sexual violence at Panzi hospital in eastern Congo. (REUTERS/James Akena/ courtesy www.alertnet.org)

CARE is deeply concerned by the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Years of violence in the eastern part of the country have taken a massive human toll – especially on women and girls.

We have actively pushed for increased attention in the United States to the humanitarian situation in the DRC, playing a lead role in shaping and advocating for the passage of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act, generating support for the International Violence Against Women Act, and collaborating with other concerned organizations to develop Congo Global Action, an international advocacy coalition focused on drawing attention to the ongoing conflict and humanitarian issues in the country.

Please join us in calling for more to be done to bring an end to rape and violence in DRC.

"War Against Women"

• Joint statement: DRC: Clinton Should Highlight Rape and Justice Issues
  
• CARE: The United Nations Must Act Now To Help End Rape in Conflict Zones
• CARE: Goma: As Many as 20 Percent of Displaced Families May Be Headed by Single Mothers
• CARE: Tens of Thousands More Women and Girls at Risk of Rape and Attack
• CARE: CARE Provides Emergency Supplies, Cholera Treatment for Desperate Families
• CARE: CARE Pleads for International Help for the DRC
• NGO Call to Action on Sexual Violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
• CARE: Is Anyone Going To Do Anything?
• CARE: Congress Passes the DRC Relief, Security and Democracy Promotion Act

Media Coverage

• CNN: Girl, 9, Details Rape in Congo to Photographer
  
• The New York Times: Clinton Highlights Civilian Toll in Congo
  
• The Washington Post: Congo's Rape Epidemic Worsens
• The New York Times: Latest Tragic Symbol of an Unhealed Congo: Male Rape Victims
• Christian Science Monitor: In Congo, A Doctor Keeps Helping as Rape Victims Keep Coming
• The New York Times: Rape Victims' Words Help Jolt Congo into Change
• CNN: Woman: 'They wanted to destroy my body and spirit'
• CBS News: War Against Women
• The New York Times: Rape Epidemic Raises Trauma of Congo War 
  

Quick Facts

CARE Programs in the Democratic Republic of Congo

CARE's extensive programming in the DRC works to meet the needs of women, families and communities in this impoverished, war-torn country. Special emphasis is placed on maternal and child health, disease prevention, education, economic recovery, community development and governance. Learn more >

CARE's Advocacy Efforts

CARE's advocacy efforts seek to bring about much more effective protection and promotion of the rights of women and children, and more broadly, increased and sustained government and international community commitment, investments and action to advance peace, rehabilitation and long-term recovery in the DRC and surrounding region.

The Great Lakes Advocacy Group (GLAG), comprised of CARE country offices in Burundi, the DRC, Rwanda and Uganda, works to address the root causes of violence against women in the Great Lakes region of Africa, where the brutality and prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence remains a central humanitarian and development concern. Read more about GLAG >