Recognising Women’s Leadership in the Fight Against Sexual Violence in Conflict

In humanitarian crises, women play an essential role, particularly in responding to sexual violence in conflict, however their contributions are often only recognised as informal or voluntary efforts.

Realising the full potential of women’s leadership requires sustained investment, meaningful participation in decision-making, and the full recognition of women’s agency as leaders of change.[1]

Concern’s approach to partnership is grounded in this understanding. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), one of the world’s most affected countries by conflict-related sexual violence, Concern works closely with women-led organisation SOFEPADI, founded on the conviction that Congolese women must be central to peacebuilding, human rights defence, and rebuilding war-affected communities. Their leadership is not just part of the response; it is indispensable to achieving long-term change.

As the world marks the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, it is vital to centre the voices, leadership, and expertise of those on the front lines of the response. 

Conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) refers to acts of sexual abuse, exploitation, and assault committed during armed conflict. These include rape, sexual slavery, forced prostitution, trafficking, and other forms of sexual violence, often used systematically as tactics of war to terrorise, punish, and forcibly displace civilians.[2] Under international law, CRSV is recognised as a war crime, a crime against humanity, and, in certain cases, an act of genocide.[3] Its impacts go far beyond individual survivors, leaving lasting psychological, social, and economic scars on families and communities, further entrenching power imbalances, gender discrimination, and the breakdown of protections.[4]

In the DRC, sexual violence has become a brutal hallmark of conflict, particularly in the eastern provinces. In 2023 alone, it was estimated that a woman or girl was raped every four minutes, with the scale of violence escalating sharply since early 2025.[5] By April 2025, a child was being raped every thirty minutes.[6] This surge is driven by the dynamics of conflict itself. Armed groups frequently use rape as a deliberate tactic to assert control over populations, destabilise communities, and forcibly displace people from contested land, particularly in resource-rich areas.[7] Retaliatory attacks by both state and non-state armed actors have further exposed civilians to horrific violence.[8] As the conflict worsens, the collapse of local health systems, destruction of medical infrastructure, and widespread shortages of critical treatments have left survivors without the urgent care they need.[9]

The consequences are devastating. Beyond immediate physical trauma, survivors often face unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, profound psychological distress, and deep social rejection. Many are abandoned by their partners or excluded from their communities, contributing to the long-term breakdown of social cohesion.[10] Fear of violence forces entire villages to flee, leading to mass displacement, the destruction of livelihoods, and worsening poverty. [11] These cascading impacts compound the broader humanitarian crisis in the DRC, leaving survivors trapped in cycles of exclusion, insecurity, and suffering.[12]

Local Women-led organisations (WLOs) play a fundamental role in the fight to eliminate sexual violence in conflict, particularly in contexts like the DRC, where survivors face multiple barriers to accessing help. These organisations are embedded in the communities they serve, giving them a deep understanding of the local context, culture, and the specific needs of survivors. They are trusted by affected women and girls, particularly those from marginalised groups, making them uniquely placed to provide support that is accessible, relevant, and sensitive. [13] 

A leading example of this is Solidarité Féminine pour la Paix et le Développement Intégral (SOFEPADI), a Congolese women-led organisation founded in 2000 in Bunia, Ituri province, by a group of women journalists in response to the alarming levels of sexual violence during the Ituri conflict. 

SOFEPADI’s approach is rooted in the principle that women are not just victims of violence, but powerful actors in the fight for justice and peace. Beyond direct service provision, the organisation works to strengthen the legal and institutional frameworks for protecting women’s rights in the DRC, they challenge harmful gender norms, involve men and boys in their work, and promote women’s leadership at all levels of society. They actively engage with national and international advocacy platforms, amplifying the voices of Congolese women in decision-making spaces. Partnerships between WLOs like SOFEPADI, international NGOs, and UN agencies can be powerful tools for addressing structural gaps in protection and support for survivors[1], an approach fully embraced by Concern to ensure that responses are tailored to the realities on the ground. Concern recognises that meaningful support for organisations such as SOFEPADI are not only vital for tackling conflict-related sexual violence, but also for advancing gender equality, rebuilding fractured communities, and contributing to a more just and peaceful future for the DRC.

Despite the alarming scale of sexual violence in the DRC, global financial commitments to address the crisis remain woefully inadequate. In 2022, less than one-fifth of one per cent (<0.2%)  of total overseas development assistance was allocated to tackling gender-based violence. [14] Women-led local organisations, which play a critical role in supporting survivors, advocating for their rights, and challenging harmful social norms, continue to receive only a small fraction of this already limited funding, despite their proven, community-based approaches to reducing violence and transforming lives. [15] This funding gap highlights the persistent challenge of prioritising responses to sexual violence, especially in protracted crises like eastern DRC, within the broader humanitarian system. 

The urgency of this crisis is reflected in the widespread shortage of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) kits, critical for preventing HIV after sexual assault. Funding freezes from key donors have compounded the problem, leaving health centres overwhelmed and unable to meet survivors’ needs. While organisations like SOFEPADI work tirelessly to fill the gaps, the scale of demand far exceeds available resources. The impact is clear as many survivors are denied essential medical, psychological, or legal support, while the root causes of violence, including structural inequalities and gender-based discrimination, remain unaddressed.[16]

Effectively addressing conflict-related sexual violence requires predictable funding, sustained strategies, and greater recognition of the unique role women-led organisations play in response efforts. These organisations bring trusted relationships, deep contextual understanding, and proven leadership that are essential for achieving lasting impact.[17]

As an international NGO, Concern places strong emphasis on equitable partnerships with women-led organisations. In the DRC and beyond, Concern recognises that tackling sexual violence in conflict, advancing gender equality, and supporting recovery from war cannot be achieved without centring the leadership of women. One such vital partner is SOFEPADI, whose tireless work supporting survivors and advocating for justice demonstrates the transformative power of local women-led organisations in the fight against sexual violence.

Concern is grateful to work with a number of local organisations in DRC. SOFEPADI in particular has many years of experience and as a local organisation has a deep understanding of the history and context of eastern DRC as well as being familiar with the issues and culture of the population. 

Working with local partners helps increase our acceptance within communities. With a view to localisation, we also believe that our partnership will further strengthen SOFEPADI's visibility and credibility and enable it to continue its activities to combat violence even without Concern's prescence.

[1] Research-paper-Crisis-affected-womens-voices-on-gender-transformative-changes-en.pdf 

[2] Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Armed Conflict- ODIHR factsheet

[3] International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict | United Nations

[4] “Rape as a strategy of war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo”, Denis Mukengere Mukwege, Olaa Mohamed-Ahmed, Joseph R. Fitchett (2010)

[5] Conflict-related sexual violence :

[6] A child reported raped every half an hour in eastern DRC, as violence rages amid a growing funding crisis

[7] Ensuring Women’s Protection Amid Rising Conflict in Eastern DRC”, Devon Cone and Abdullahi Boru Halakhe April 2024, Refugees International

[8] Conflict-related sexual violence Report of the Secretary-General, UN Security Council, June 2023

[9] Monthly Action Points (MAP) for the Security Council: June 2025 - NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security 

[10] “Rape as a strategy of war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo”, Denis Mukengere Mukwege, Olaa Mohamed-Ahmed, Joseph R. Fitchett (2010)

[11] Rape: A Weapon of War in the Congo | Panzi Foundation

[12] Rape: A Weapon of War in the Congo | Panzi Foundation

[13] How funding women’s organizations prevents violence against women | UN Women – Headquarters

[14] How funding women’s organizations prevents violence against women | UN Women – Headquarters

[15] How funding women’s organizations prevents violence against women | UN Women – Headquarters

[16] 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

[17] Research-paper-Crisis-affected-womens-voices-on-gender-transformative-changes-en.pdf