DRC: National Mobilization Against Violence Against Women, Between Digital Action and Community Engagement

Kinshasa, DRC - On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, commemorated annually on November 25 in honor of the Mirabal sisters, the Ministry of Gender, Family and Children launched a national awareness campaign targeting digital violence against women and girls. This initiative, conducted in partnership with UNFPA, runs until December 10 as part of the 16 Days of Activism.

During the launch, Minister Micheline Ombae urged young people to use digital tools responsibly, emphasizing that they should "unite, not divide," while denouncing online harassment, hate speech, and other forms of digital abuse. UNFPA representative Ikoli Mireille highlighted the necessity of strict law enforcement to hold perpetrators accountable, particularly in a context where over 460,000 cases of gender-based violence were recorded in the DRC between 2021 and 2024.

In addition, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) provided medical care to more than 25,000 survivors of sexual violence in 2023, including over 17,000 cases in North Kivu from January to May 2024. These statistics underscore the persistent severity of gender-based violence in the country.

On November 25, 2025, multiple marches and demonstrations were organized nationwide by women’s rights organizations, focusing on denouncing digital violence, promoting citizen engagement, and reinforcing the broader fight against all forms of gender-based violence, from sexual assault to forced marriage.

This campaign represents a dual approach, combining digital advocacy with community mobilization, aiming to raise public awareness, pressure authorities, and foster collective action to protect women and girls across the DRC.