Kinshasa, October 19th, 2026 (CPA). – The socio-economic reintegration of victims of gender-based violence (GBV) has been called for on Monday by the Minister in charge of Gender, Family and Children (GFAE), to ensure holistic care, during an assessment visit to the Integrated Centre for Multisectorial Services (CISM) in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). “I emphasise the need to go beyond medical care to ensure a holistic approach, including, amongst other things, the socio-economic reintegration of victims of violence, covering judicial and legal aspects. I would like to remind you that the fight against sexual violence and gender-based violence is a priority for the Government for the period 2025–2027, led by Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka,” Micheline Ombae, Minister in charge of Gender, Family and Children (GFAE), has declared.
“To combat this phenomenon, we plan to revitalise the integrated multi-sectoral service centres for the care of survivors. It was important for us to come and assess the smooth running and operational effectiveness of the facility,” she has added. Minister Ombae has specified that simply reporting or arresting rapists is not enough; the rehabilitation of the victim is more important. “It is this rehabilitation phase that sometimes poses a problem. Two decrees have already been signed: one setting out the internal regulations and the other appointing the members of the National Coordination Committee for CISMs (CNC), the body responsible for coordinating all CISMs and ensuring the regularity of reports,” the minister has affirmed. Ms Ombae has emphasised that there are four CISM centres in Kinshasa. “Kinshasa currently has only four CISMs, which is insufficient given the population size. The government plans to establish a CISM in every municipality and is working towards their institutionalisation,” she has said. Acknowledging the difficulties associated with staff management, which is constrained by fixed-term contracts, she has assured that her ministry would continue to advocate effectively to ensure that solutions are found for certain priority needs.
“Finally, I congratulate the staff on the work they have done to support girls and women who are victims of violence, and I encourage you to continue your efforts despite the difficult conditions,” she has said. For his part, Dr Herve Moke, the hospital’s medical director, has indicated that all services are free of charge and mainly cater for underage girls referred by police sub-stations and judicial institutions. “Since 2018, we have already received 2,874 victims; this year we have received 161 victims whom we have been unable to support through to socio-economic reintegration due to a lack of resources,” he has lamented. The Minister in charge of Gender Affairs has carried out this assessment visit to the Ngaba General Referral Hospital for Mothers and Children, one of the integrated multi-sectoral service centres (CISM), with the aim of assessing the effectiveness of the care provided to survivors of sexual violence and GBV.