Gender, War, and Law: Sexual Violence Crimes in the Democratic Repuclic of the Congo

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, sexual violence crimes are widespread and committed systematically. To challenge these crimes, international organizations and non-governmental organizations provide support to the Congolese legal system. They focus on strengthening the legal framework on sexual violence crimes, facilitating access to justice for survivors of these crimes, and prosecuting the perpetrators. While sexual violence crimes result from the continuum of gendered violence from peacetime to conflict, this is not recognized at the international level in challenging sexual violence crimes. It is essential to deal with sexual violence crimes through a legal context; however, not acknowledging gender in the interpretation of and solutions to these crimes prevents their eradication. These crimes must be challenged not only through law but with reference to economic, political, and social aspects where power legitimizes violence against women.