YWCA DRC and World YWCA Call For Action Toward Peace in The Democratic Republic of Congo

The World YWCA, a global movement of hundreds of thousands of women, has provided leadership in conflict and post-conflict spaces for over a century and advocates for peace and justice in communities, countries, regions, and the world. YWCA leaders from conflict-affected communities share their witness and expertise directly with the world’s citizens, always an effective tool for peace with justice.

Read the following witness and appeal from the leaders of the YWCA DRC (translated from French into English):

“Our country is going through very difficult times in the face of its destiny!

Since 27 January 2025, the Democratic Republic of Congo has been experiencing a bloody and atrocious political crisis due to the presence of rebel troops in the eastern part of the country. This has caused panic, desolation, and massive displacement of the population, resulting in a significant loss of human life, with an estimated death toll of almost three thousand, according to the dramatic and still provisional report issued by the United Nations on Tuesday, 4 February 2025.

Reports from humanitarian organizations working in the area show a flood of people leaving Goma, Bukavu, and Uvira, and other surrounding areas: women, children, elderly people, and men carrying bundles of goods. Their story is of fear and uncertainty; every step is a call to survival. For the people of eastern DRC, this is not the first time that these communities have left their homes and residences to escape the violence. Before the fierce armed clashes at the end of January 2025, almost 5.1 million people had already been displaced in the provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri. The occupation of Goma by armed rebels has worsened the situation, adding to the toll of these clashes and the increase in the number of internally displaced people. This time, the scale of displacement and suffering is staggering and alarming. The living conditions of the displaced are disastrous, with women and girls particularly at risk in a context where rape is used as a weapon of war. 

Unfortunately, this open-air banditry is causing a great deal of damage, including the destruction of the ecosystem and the environment, human rights violations, repeated armed conflicts, incursions, and the loss of life.  There are rapes and violence against women and girls; famine and malnutrition, especially among small children; and poverty accentuated by difficulties in accessing the most basic social services. The population’s wandering is caused by their displacement from their places of origin due to the recurring clashes and insecurity.

The YWCA RDC has three YWCA branches in this region: in North Kivu and, more precisely, Goma and Walikale. In South Kivu, in the town of Bukavu. At present, the security situation for women and children is alarming because this rebellion has already made its mark. Given the worsening security situation in Eastern DRC, with the risk of the entire Great Lake region and its neighbours (9 countries surrounding the DRC) going up in flames, urgent action for peace is needed.

The YWCA DRC is aware of the positive influence of the World YWCA in the world thanks to its attachment to Christian values and its vision of an inclusive world where peace, justice, and the protection of the environment prevail thanks to women’s leadership.

The YWCA DRC appeals for solidarity for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo and requests the following:

  1. The holding of a chain of prayers once a week for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the protection of the members of the YWCA DRC,
  2. A co-statement from the World YWCA and YWCA DRC in the form of an appeal for action and global solidarity for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo to be sent to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, as well as to the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), the Human Rights Council, the European Parliament and international organisations working on peace issues in conflict zones. YWCA national member associations are encouraged to take similar actions.
  3. Support for the actions that the YWCA DRC intends to carry out as part of the search for peace and solidarity for a lasting solution to this conflict involving the YWCAs of every continent.
  4. Technical, logistical, and financial support to the YWCA DRC to organise monitoring in these conflict zones so that the YWCA branches can provide general humanitarian aid for women and children.”

The World YWCA stands in solidarity with the women of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and encourages all people to take action in solidarity toward a peaceful and sustained resolution to the current crisis.

To contact the YWCA DRC directly, please email: ywcardc@yahoo.fr.

Learn more about YWCA DRC here.