The United Nations has raised alarms over the alarming rise of child rape in Congo in the first two months of the year. UNICEF emphasizes that even young children are affected and that sexual violence is alarmingly common. Data from local organizations dealing with sexual violence showed that child rape in Congo accounted for 35–45% of cases reported.
- Children, including toddlers, accounted for over a third of nearly 10,000 reported cases of rape and sexual violence in eastern Congo in first two months of the year.
- Rape and sexual violence are used as a ‘weapon of war’ and occur on average every 30 minutes, with young children also being affected
- Foreign aid cuts by major donors such as the United States may have negatively impacted humanitarian programs in the region
At the beginning of the year, the Rwandan-backed rebel group M23 seized control of parts of eastern Congo, resulting in many deaths, including children, and forcing hundreds of thousands of people to be displaced.
UNICEF spokesperson James Elder stated at a press conference in Geneva that rape and sexual violence were being used as a “weapon of war” and occur on average every 30 minutes, with young children also being affected.
“We are not talking about isolated incidents, we are talking about a systemic crisis,” he said, citing a database collected by organisations on the ground working on sexual violence which showed that between 35-45 per cent of the total were under-18s. He emphasized that these are not a series of isolated incidents, but a widespread problem.
“It is a weapon of war and a deliberate tactic of terror.”
Aid Cuts Worsening Child Rape in Congo Crisis
Elder, speaking from Goma, also noted that funding shortages are hampering the treatment of victims of sexual assault. In one hospital he visited, 127 rape victims lacked access to the necessary medical kits to prevent HIV infection immediately after an attack.
Elder described the funding gaps as life-threatening. He suggested that foreign aid cuts by major donors such as the United States may have negatively impacted humanitarian programs in the region.
