Challenges endured by women during the conflict-related sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis and discussion of the effects of sexual violence from the perspective of women survivors in the eastern province of the DRC. It aims to understand how these challenges affected their livelihood capacities. This research was conducted in the South Kivu Province. Qualitative data was collected by means of one-on-one interviews and focus group discussions. Data was elicited from the experiences of 56 women who are survivors of sexual violence. The recorded data was manually transcribed and analysed thematically through the lens of the feminist theory and by means of the gendered livelihood strategies approach. The findings suggest that the impact and consequences of sexual violence clearly led to the loss of a sustainable way of life, which is a major factor that influences women’s livelihood coping strategies negatively.

Keywords: War in the Congo - -Women survivors -war’s impact - livelihood Strategy- South Kivu