Report on the Situation of Women and Girls in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Security Council’s Response

Introduction

The Security Council members of the Shared Commitments Group on Women, Peace, and Security — comprising Denmark, France, Greece, Panama, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, and Guyana — convened to express their deep concern and unwavering support for women and girls in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This report highlights the critical issues faced by women and girls in the DRC, the ongoing efforts to address these challenges, and the alignment of these efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Context and Challenges

1. Escalation of Violence Since January 2025
   • Women and girls have experienced increased suffering due to heightened conflict.
   • Reports indicate unprecedented levels of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and human rights abuses.
   • Mass displacement, influx of combatants and weapons, and a worsening humanitarian crisis exacerbate the situation.
2. Notable Incidents of Violence
   • Mass prison breaks in North and South Kivu resulted in over 7,000 prisoners escaping.
   • On 27 January 2025, during a prison break at Muzenze, at least 165 women were reportedly raped and killed in a fire set by inmates.
   • UNICEF reported in April that a child was raped every half hour in eastern DRC.

Condemnation and Accountability

• The Security Council strongly condemns the use of rape and sexual violence as tactics of war.
• Perpetrators of these heinous acts must be held accountable to uphold justice and human rights.

Government and International Efforts

1. Government of the DRC
   • Significant efforts to address sexual violence by state actors have been made, including hundreds of prosecutions of national Armed Forces (FARDC) members.
   • Repeated attacks on judicial and correctional facilities have undermined victims’ access to justice.
2. MONUSCO Mission
   • Full support is given to MONUSCO’s mandate to protect civilians, including against all forms of sexual and gender-based violence.
   • Any obstruction to the Mission’s mandate is condemned.

Women’s Role in Peace, Stability, and Development

• Women must be integral to peacebuilding, stability, and development efforts in the DRC, aligning with SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
• Congolese women’s determination to participate in political processes and peacebuilding is acknowledged and applauded.
• Women’s representation in the DRC Cabinet increased to 33% in 2024, demonstrating progress towards inclusive governance.

Pathways to Peace and Security

1. Diplomatic Initiatives
   • Dialogue and diplomacy are recognized as the only viable pathways to peace and security, supporting SDG 16.
   • The Peace Agreement between the DRC and Rwanda aims to end fighting in eastern DRC and achieve lasting peace and stability.
2. Regional and International Cooperation
   • Security Council Resolution 2773 supports diplomatic and peace efforts through the Nairobi and Luanda processes.
   • The African Union and other regional bodies provide critical support.
   • Appointment of former Presidents Catherine Samba-Panza (Central African Republic) and Sahle-Work Zewde (Ethiopia) as co-facilitators introduces gender balance to peace processes.

Commitment of the Security Council

The Security Council commits to continuing all efforts to improve the situation of women and girls in the DRC, reinforcing the global agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly:

• SDG 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
• SDG 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable institutions.
• SDG 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being, addressing the trauma and health consequences of violence.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality – The article focuses heavily on sexual and gender-based violence, women’s representation in political processes, and the need for women’s inclusion in peacebuilding.
2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – Issues of violence, human rights abuses, justice system challenges, and the role of peace agreements and diplomatic efforts are central to the article.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – The humanitarian crisis and the impact of sexual violence on women and girls’ health are implied concerns.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The article highlights the plight of marginalized groups (women and girls) affected by conflict and violence.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
   • Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.
2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
   • Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.7: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicator for Target 5.2: Number of reported cases of sexual and gender-based violence (e.g., “a child was reported raped every half an hour” in eastern DRC).
2. Indicator for Target 5.5: Proportion of women in political positions (e.g., women’s representation in the DRC Cabinet increased to 33 percent in 2024).
3. Indicator for Target 16.1: Rates of violence and conflict-related deaths (e.g., reports of unprecedented levels of violence, mass prison breaks, and killings).
4. Indicator for Target 16.3: Number of prosecutions related to human rights abuses and sexual violence (e.g., hundreds of prosecutions of members of the national Armed Forces).
5. Indicator for Target 16.7: Inclusion of women in peace and diplomatic processes (e.g., appointment of female co-facilitators in peace negotiations).
6. Indicator for Target 3.7: Access to sexual and reproductive health services implied through humanitarian crisis context.
7. Indicator for Target 10.2: Measures of social and political inclusion of marginalized groups (implied through emphasis on women’s participation and protection).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: onu.delegfrance.org