DRC government and UNICEF host first national conference on combatting violence against children

KINSHASA, 24 OCTOBER 2024 – The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in partnership with UNICEF, is today hosting the first national conference on the elimination of violence against children. The event is being held under the patronage of Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka.

The conference represents a major step forward in fighting violence against children. It brings together eight key ministries, as well as international humanitarian and development organizations, the private sector and civil society. Children – girls in particular – are also participating in the event to ensure they are at the heart of the process to define a national strategy to end violence against children.

According to a recent UNICEF report, 650 million girls and women alive today – that is to say one in five globally – were victims of sexual violence during their childhood. Of these, more than 370 million (1 in 8) were raped or sexually assaulted as children.

In the DRC, the situation is particularly worrying, with more than half of all children reporting they have experienced some form of violence. Of the total number of recorded cases of sexual violence, 40 per cent involve girls under the age of 18. 

UNICEF is committed to continuing to support the DRC to protect children from violence. Recent progress includes putting in place concrete measures to prevent violence against children and provide and assistance to children who have survived violence. 

Awareness campaigns and educational programmes have empowered millions of children and adolescents to protect themselves from violence, and parents and communities to prevent and respond to violence.

The creation of ‘Toyokana’ safe spaces and the strengthening of child protection systems with the deployment of social workers have improved care for survivors of sexual violence.

This first national conference underscores the Congolese government's resolve to prioritize this issue. This commitment will be reiterated at the Global ministerial conference on ending violence against children in Bogotá, Colombia on 7-8 November 2024.  

UNICEF and partners are marching in Kinshasa on 26 October to show solidarity with children who have suffered violence and to underscore the commitment to promoting and protecting child rights.