Ukraine looks to Congo’s experience to aid sexual violence survivors of war

As Ukraine confronts the ongoing effects of Russia’s full-scale invasion, it is looking to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for lessons. With 30 years of war and experience in building a system to support and reintegrate victims of sexual violence, Congo offers valuable insights.

This issue was the focus of a recent discussion at the Media Center Ukraine. 

“The DRC’s experience in building a social support system during its own 30-year conflict has become a vital reference point for Ukrainian authorities. While the circumstances in Ukraine are different due to the nature of the full-scale invasion, the core priority remains the same: supporting the victims,” said Vasyl Lutsyk, Head of the National Social Service of Ukraine. “Congo’s model, which not only offers social support but also facilitates reintegration into society, provides a comprehensive approach that we can adapt for Ukraine.”

In September, a Ukrainian delegation visited the Panzi Hospital and Foundation in the DRC, gaining firsthand insight into the strategies and tools used in the country’s response to conflict-related sexual violence. The visit provided critical materials that Ukrainian officials believe will be instrumental in addressing similar challenges at home.

“We were introduced to training programs, checklists, and other resources that could be essential for our social workers,” Lutsyk explained. “Our priority now is to ensure that social workers who interact with victims of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) are equipped to identify those in need and provide the full range of services available, including through Resilience Centers and other community-based resources.”

Veronika Plotnikova, Head of the Coordination Center for Support of Victims and Witnesses at Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office, highlighted the importance of adopting a model of coordinated response similar to the DRC’s approach.

“Our visit to the DRC underscored the need to be present for victims, especially as the numbers rise each month despite limited resources. What stood out dramatically was not just the allocation of resources, but the changes in attitudes and procedures,” Plotnikova said. “The coordination between law enforcement, Panzi Hospital, and the active involvement of victims in the recovery process is a model we need to implement in Ukraine.”

Ukraine’s focus now is on adapting these strategies to its unique context, as the nation works to build a support system that can adequately address the needs of sexual violence survivors in the ongoing war.

Read more: https://mediacenter.org.ua/news