According to the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, Women and girls are experiencing staggering rates of gender-based violence, including conflict-related sexual violence, in the latest outbreak of fighting that has engulfed the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

In its statement released in February this year 2025, nearly 500 cases of sexual violence were reported within a single week in the Goma area, including more than 150 involving children.

Also here in the West African sub region, Data from the Higher Institute of Population Sciences in Burkina Faso reveal that in 2022, approximately 250,000 women were victims of sexual violence, including rape.

These are among many reports that trigger our desire to discuss this topic.