10 October 2025
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"They raped us all": Asifiwe's story of war, rape, and resilience in DR Congo

calendar_today14 October 2025

"They raped us all": Asifiwe's story of war, rape, and resilience in DR Congo

"They raped us all": Asifiwe's story of war, rape, and resilience in DR Congo

In The Democratic Republic of the Congo, rape is being used as a weapon of war with total impunity.

"They entered our house, tied up my father. Then took me and my two older sisters and raped us all”.  Asifiwe's story shows the horrific cost—and the resilience it takes to heal.

Support UNFPA's life-saving work to help survivors of sexual violence.

Publication date

Oct 2025

Author

UNFPA DRC

Resources

Democratic Republic of Congo Situation Report – July 2025

1

Publication date

Sep 2025

Author

UNFPA DRC

Resources

Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo

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News

Lack of reproductive rights and choices undermines a generation of young people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

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Ombeni Mburano, who is seven months pregnant with her sixth child, stands in front of the ruins of a bomb-hit makeshift shelter in an informal displacement site west of Goma. © UNFPA DRC / Jonas Yunus
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05 May 2025

Press release

DRC: UN Officials Raise Alarm at the Dramatic Impact of Prolonged Conflict on Women and Children, Including Increased Risk of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence on Displaced People

calendar_today23 April 2025

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Statement

Statement by Principals of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee on the Democratic Republic of the Congo

calendar_today30 April 2024

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News

After surviving sexual violence, youth leader creates change for girls with disabilities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

calendar_today13 February 2024

Ngoma*, who has a hearing disability, was attacked at aged 15 by a group of boys in her hometown of Matadi in the the Democratic Republic of the Congo. © UNFPA DRC/Jeremie Kibuya
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Slideshow

Deep scars, fragile hope for Congolese refugees in Angola

calendar_today28 March 2018

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The conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is one of the most neglected crises in the world. Antone, 50, was shot as she fled an attack in the country’s Kasai region. Her husband and children were killed. © UNFPA Angola/Tiril Skarstein

Tens of thousands of refugees are now living in the Lóvua settlement in Angola. UNFPA is providing services for women and girls, including reproductive health care and safe spaces. © UNFPA Angola/Tiril Skarstein

Scars from the conflict run deep. Felikanko, 44, lost many family members. Today, she helps care for a boy whose mother was killed. “Now I am responsible for looking after him.” © UNFPA Angola/Tiril Skarstein

Refugees can receive referrals to medical care and counselling from UNFPA’s safe spaces. UNFPA also provides post-rape treatment kits and trainings for local health workers. © UNFPA Angola/Tiril Skarstein

Marie-Claire works at one of the UNFPA spaces, educating refugees about women’s health and rights. The space also offers games and social activities. © UNFPA Angola/Tiril Skarstein

These activities give women and girls a sense of community and a distraction from their worries. © UNFPA Angola/Tiril Skarstein

Classes are also offered. This session on maternal health provides information on how to safely manage a pregnancy, as well as where to deliver and how to access family planning. © UNFPA Angola/Tiril Skarstein

Still, the shadow of the conflict looms large. “We lost everything. Everything was left behind,” said Dadi Ndaia, 28, who has started a makeshift restaurant in the Lóvua settlement. © UNFPA Angola/Tiril Skarstein

The small business helps feed her children. But she still thinks about the home they left behind. “I wish people in power knew how badly we need the peace to return,” Dadi Ndaia said. © UNFPA Angola/Tiril Skarstein