Kinshasa, June 1st, 2025 (CPA).- The persistent systemic and tragic violence against women in areas under enemy occupation has been condemned on Saturday by the delegation of European parliamentarians visiting Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in a statement. “I would like to address, on behalf of our delegation and Europe, the systemic and tragic violence against women. Women, girls and children are always the first victims in conflicts,’ has declared Hilde Vautmans, head of the delegation, quoted in the statement. ‘The Sexual violence is used as a weapon of war, with the aim of traumatising, intimidating and destroying the social fabric of entire communities,’ she has added. According to Ms Vautmans, when the victims seek justice, they too often encounter silence, stigmatisation and a lack of support, while expressing her organisation’s support for state initiatives to combat this barbarity. ‘The European Union fully supports the important efforts of civil society to obtain justice and reparation for victims of sexual violence. In this regard, we applaud the remarkable work of the Panzi Centre, which we had the honour of visiting on our second day in DRC, and the work of First Lady Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi,’ she has indicated. The European parliamentarians have said they were deeply impressed by the Congolese people, their strength and resilience in the face of insecurity, violence and adversity. ‘You continue to believe, to hope and to fight for a better future, for yourselves, for your children and for your communities,’ has explained Hilde Vautmans. Almost three years ago, the Congolese government has set up the National Fund for the Reparation of Victims of Sexual Violence (Fonarev) to provide social and psychological support to this social group, which is growing in number in the territories under Rwandan occupation.
Subtitle: Alleviating humanitarian suffering
In addition, the delegation of European parliamentarians has also deplored the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the east of the country, where the number of displaced persons is increasing every day. ‘The humanitarian disaster, the number of victims, displaced persons and wounded are truly shocking. It is essential to alleviate human suffering,’ has said Ms Hilde Vautmans. ‘And we call on all military actors in the region to immediately cease hostilities, guarantee unhindered humanitarian access, establish safe corridors and authorise an airlift to deliver medical supplies, food and basic necessities,’ she has insisted. Finally, she has applauded the efforts made by the Government, through the Minister in charge of Social Affairs, Nathalie Aziza Munana, to alleviate human suffering throughout DRC and the region. ACP/