Kinshasa, August 17th, 2026 (CPA).- Sexual violence against underage girls has been denounced by the NGO ‘Women Hand in Hand for Integral Development (FMMDI)’ in Kananga, the chief town of Kasai Central province, in the centre of the Democratic Republic Congo (DRC), according to a press release received on Monday by the CPA. “The organization strongly condemns these acts of violence, which particularly affect underage girls aged between 5 and 16. The most recent cases recorded involve girls aged 5, 11 and 14, one of whom has a disability,” It is read in a press release from that NGO.
The organization has also reported another case involving two minors from the same family, who would have been victims of sexual abuse by a flatmate. It has also reported an alleged attempted rape of a 16-year-old schoolgirl, involving her internship supervisor at a local state institution.
Given this situation, the FMMDI has recalled that no child ought to be exposed to violence, abuse or exploitation, considering that child protection is a collective responsibility. She has then called on parents and families to be more vigilant about their children’s movements in order to ensure a safer and more protective environment for them. « To companies and employers, the organization recommends to increase awareness-raising campaigns for employees on sexual abuse, harassment and violence in the workplace, whilst monitoring the signing and adherence to a code of good conduct, » has indicated the source.
The FMMDI has also invited schools and vocational training centres to put in place effective mechanisms for prevention, reporting and the protection of girls undertaking internships or apprenticeships. Led by Nathalie Kambala Luse, the NGO FMMDI has reaffirmed its commitment in the fight against sexual violence and abuse against children, which it considers to be scourges undermining the dignity of girls and constituting a brake to their personal fulfilment and development of the community.