KINSHASA, June 23 (Xinhua) -- In North Kivu Province, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the scars of war are not only seen in destroyed homes, deserted villages, and displaced families. For many women, the deepest wound remains etched within.
In a serene setting far from the city's bustle, a group of women gathered for a psychosocial support session organized by AIDPROFEN, a local organization that helps women and families heal from the effects of armed conflict.
Guided by psychologists, the women took part in breathing exercises, relaxation, songs, physical activities, therapeutic dance, and group discussions. Survivors could speak freely, share their experiences, and receive emotional support, with strict measures in place to protect their identities.
"I have gone through many difficulties," said one participant, whose identity was withheld for security and privacy reasons. "The memory that comes back to me most often is the day I went to collect firewood in the forest. Unidentified armed men raped me. That trauma is still making me suffer."
For her, the group sessions have become an important step toward recovery.
"Since I began sharing my story with other women, they have helped me regain the will to live. Through our exchanges, I feel less stressed and relieved," she said, adding that many survivors still struggle with shortages of food, clothing, water, and medicine.
Conflict-related sexual violence has long been one of the gravest and most persistent consequences of insecurity in eastern DRC, where armed conflict, displacement, and weak access to basic services have deepened the vulnerability of women and girls.
According to the United Nations (UN) Population Fund, North Kivu recorded more than 50,000 cases of gender-based violence in 2023 and over 56,000 in 2024.
The UN Joint Human Rights Office, working with the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC, documented 887 cases of conflict-related sexual violence in the DRC in 2025, involving 1,534 victims, most of them women and girls, mainly in North Kivu.
"Trauma is one of the most frequent problems," said Clarisse Mugholi, a psychologist involved in the sessions. "During the war, many women suffered different forms of violence, sometimes even in their homes."
Mugholi said the support combines group therapy, exchanges of experiences, sports activities, and therapeutic dance. "They do not heal instantly. But sharing what they have lived through and listening to others gradually gives them strength, confidence, and motivation," she said.
For AIDPROFEN, psychosocial support is part of a broader effort to help survivors rebuild their lives after years of violence.
"We have already supported a very large number of women and young girls. It is difficult to give an exact figure, but they number in the thousands," said Louise Mataana, a member of AIDPROFEN.
"We call on the authorities to strengthen security measures and the protection of women, because they remain the most vulnerable in conflict situations," she said.
Beyond psychological care, many survivors continue to face daily hardship, including limited access to food, clean water, healthcare, and sustainable livelihoods.
According to participants and psychologists, the simple act of speaking, listening, and being believed can help restore dignity to women whose suffering has too often remained hidden.
"In these exchanges, I feel relieved," one of the participants said. "They have given me back the will to live." ■