Hundreds of Women Raped and Burned to Death in Congo

Rwandan-backed M23 rebels seized Congolese city Goma

TRIGGER WARNING: sexual assault and death

Hundreds of women were raped and burned alive after rebel group M23 entered Goma last week. Little is known of this attack, but this is what we know:

Female inmates were attacked in their prison wing inside Goma’s Munzenze prison during a mass jailbreak. While several thousand men successfully escaped the jail, the women's prison wing was set on fire. Authorities believe that the wing was set on fire after the women were raped and was the cause of their death.

Volunteers from the Congolese Red Cross and Civil Protection carry the bodies of those killed in the recent violence to be buried in a cemetery in Goma. (AFP)

This atrocity seems to appear to be the worst of the M23-led conflict in Eastern Congo. M23 is imposing strict restrictions on the prison, and UN peacekeepers have not been allowed to gain access to investigate what happened further. What we do know is that on Tuesday, it emerged that about 2,000 bodies were still awaiting burial in Goma because the M23 fighters seized Goma, which happened on January 27.

Surprisingly, the militia announced a “unilateral ceasefire” after what had happened. Regardless, M23 forces are moving towards the south to the city of Bukava, which is about 190km from Goma.

Sexual Violence in Congo

According to UNICEF, as of 2023, children were getting abducted and facing sexual violence at record levels for the third consecutive year. Escalating violence, displacement, and armed groups near communities are causing a sharp rise in child killings, maiming, and abductions in the DRC. On average, 48 women are raped every hour, with many of the victims being children and babies. Rapists almost always go unpunished.

Calls to Action

There are a couple of things you can do to help the people of Congo:

SPREAD AWARENESS: Use social media and other platforms to raise global awareness about the crisis in the DRC. Public pressure can lead to stronger international responses through political action or financial aid.

DONATE: Contribute to NGOs like the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), UNICEF, or Médecins Sans Frontières, which provide vital medical care, food, shelter, and protection for displaced families and children.

DON’T BUY NEW ELECTRONICS: Having the newest iPhone or laptop is always convenient, but the mining in Congo is very inhumane, and our electronics use minerals from mines in Congo if you can, don’t update your electronics unless you have to or buy used/refurbished.

Wrapping it up…

The ongoing violence in Eastern Congo is a devastating reminder of the human toll conflict takes on innocent lives, particularly women and children.

The horrific events in Goma, where women were brutally raped and burned, reflect the extreme dangers civilians face in the region. With continued violence, displacement, and exploitation, the situation remains dire. While some international efforts provide crucial support, more must be done to address the root causes of this crisis, hold perpetrators accountable, and bring lasting peace to the DRC.

By raising awareness, supporting humanitarian aid, and making informed consumer choices, we can all play a role in helping those affected by this tragedy. The people of Congo deserve our attention, empathy, and action in the face of this unimaginable suffering.