The challenge

Since the end of the Congo wars, which has been the deadliest conflict in the world since World War II, instability and violence have remained prevalent in the Democratic Republic of Congo. A direct consequence of this political situation is the rate of sexual violence suffered by women and girls. At least 10,000 sexual violence acts were reported in 2020 and in 2023, almost 50 cases of sexual violence were reported every day.

Today, internally displaced women and girls are even more vulnerable and exposed to gender based violence.

Traumatized by fighters on every side of the civil war - government soldiers and rebel militias - girls and women who survive sexual violence face the extremely difficult task of rebuilding their lives

Because of the social stigma they face as rape survivors, many women are abandoned by their families and, sometimes, banished entirely from their communities. Added to this social dislocation, the conditions of extreme poverty that blight most of the country – a staggering 62% of the DRC’s population lives on less than $2.15 a day (PPP) - constitute another significant barrier for women as they struggle to reintegrate into society.

The solutions we’re proposing

Through its microfinance program, W4’s field project, the Alpha Ujuvi Collective, provides women survivors of sexual violence with crucial support in their endeavors to establish sustainable livelihoods with access to small loans. Thanks to this assistance, women are able to reestablish their footing and build a more stable future for themselves and their families.

Financial independence serves as a tremendous boost to the women’s self-confidence and helps them find their voice within their communities. With a secure economic standing, women are better able to help their families escape poverty and contribute to fighting the social stigma surrounding sexual violence. They can then become role models or mentors for other young rape survivors and help them overcome the trauma of sexual violence. 

The impact of giving

Your donation will enable a woman rape survivor in the DRC to pursue an income-generating activity, earn a sustainable income and benefit from improved self-esteem. By funding women’s entrepreneurial activities, you help them to regain control of their lives and to become changemakers in their own communities.

Act now to help empower women survivors of sexual violence in the DRC with financial independence.