Incidence and Contributing factors of Sexual Violence in North Kivu

¹Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Université de Conservation de la Nature et de Développement de Kasugho, GOMA, DRC

²Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CENTRE HOSPITALIER FEPSI, Butembo, DR Congo

³Department of Public Health, ITM-Antwerp, Belgium

*Corresponding author: Olivier Mulisya, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Université de Conservation de la Nature et de Développement de Kasugho, GOMA, DRC, Phone: +243997719443, E-mail: [email protected]

Received Date: October 28, 2024

Publication Date: January 06, 2025

Citation: Mulisya O, et al. (2025). Incidence and Contributing factors of Sexual Violence in North Kivu. Clin Res. 6(1):26.

Copyright: Mulisya O, et al. © (2025).

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Sexual violence is a serious public health and human rights problem that has short-, medium- and long-term consequences on the physical, mental, sexual and reproductive health of victims. Armed conflicts generally last for several years. This is particularly the case in the province of North Kivu. The presence and movements of armed groups contribute to the scale of sexual violence in the province of North Kivu. Kivu. The situation is particularly worrying in the greater North Kivu where the context is marked by the presence of several rebel groups, we cite the ADF-NALU, the FDLR, the Mai-Mai and other unidentified people who sow trouble and desolation in their path by the massacre of the peaceful population, rapes and other forms of sexual violence, acts of looting and burning of private and public property and causing population movements. Results: Over the past 5 years, Centre Hospitalier FEPSI and its partner hospitals have treated 17,068 cases of victims of sexual and gender-based violence, of which 12,389 cases presented before 72 hours and had access to the post exposure prophylaxis kit (PEP kit) and among these there are 45 men. We found that the age most affected is 10 to 17 years old. Among the factors that promote this violence, we can first mention the war, the ongoing insecurity observed in the region as well as the status of internally displaced persons. Secondly, we have: retrograde customs and traditions, the socio-economic situation of vulnerability of women, the depravation of morals linked to the abusive use of drugs and highly alcoholic beverages, injustice, idleness, poverty, etc. We recorded 133 children born from rape, including 92 born at CH/FEPSI and 41 at our partner hospitals. The number and profile of the perpetrators is 1390 assimilated civilian perpetrators; 97 militiamen; 182 soldiers and 204 ADF. The health zones concerned are those of Butembo, Katwa, Beni, Oicha Kyondo, Musienene, Mutwanga, Mabalako, Kamango, Kalunguta, Lubero, Vuhovi, Masereka, Alimbongo, Kayna, Manguredjipa and Biena. Conclusion: Sexual violence in the DRC is of a very worrying scale which requires the strengthening of current combat interventions for its eradication. In North Kivu, sexual violence is particularly multifactorial and complex to stop because it is widespread and does not concern a specific group of individuals. However, the restoration of peace and the rule of law are imperative for the prevention of sexual violence.

Keywords: Sexual Violence, Public Health, Children, Women’s Rights