Support for children born of rape in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: mother’s experiences and challenges
Abstract The repercussions of rape extend far beyond the act itself. Women who become pregnant as a result of rape are frequently forced to keep unwanted children, as abortion is generally perceived as unacceptable and illegal within the community. The aim of this study is to examine the socioeconom...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Conflict and Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13031-025-00674-0 |
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| author | Euphrasie Kaningini Wamunzila Frieda Vandeninden |
| author_facet | Euphrasie Kaningini Wamunzila Frieda Vandeninden |
| author_sort | Euphrasie Kaningini Wamunzila |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The repercussions of rape extend far beyond the act itself. Women who become pregnant as a result of rape are frequently forced to keep unwanted children, as abortion is generally perceived as unacceptable and illegal within the community. The aim of this study is to examine the socioeconomic challenges encountered by mother of children born of rape in the care of this children. The methodological approach of this study is based on a qualitative analysis. Semi structured interviews were conducted with 33 female survivors of sexual violence with children born of rape in the eastern DRC in the Kabare territory of the Katana groupement. The findings reveal that while all survivors experience trauma, those who give birth require distinct support. Mothers face numerous challenges in their caregiving roles, including financial hardship, fear of employment, low educational levels, loss of assets, lack of spousal support, and social stigmatization. Consequently, children born of rape encounter significant obstacles, especially for boys, in accessing basic services because of their mothers’ trauma, absence of paternal support, maternal ignorance, and societal stigma. Specific measures should be taken to improve the quality of life for both mothers and children affected by rape, fostering resilience and empowering them to overcome the numerous challenges they face. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7f1d4202ae5a4312ad2cf25a4f3ef883 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1752-1505 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Conflict and Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-7f1d4202ae5a4312ad2cf25a4f3ef8832025-08-20T04:01:34ZengBMCConflict and Health1752-15052025-07-0119111310.1186/s13031-025-00674-0Support for children born of rape in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: mother’s experiences and challengesEuphrasie Kaningini Wamunzila0Frieda Vandeninden1Universite Evangelique en Afrique, Centre d’Excellence Denis MukwegeUniversite de LiegeAbstract The repercussions of rape extend far beyond the act itself. Women who become pregnant as a result of rape are frequently forced to keep unwanted children, as abortion is generally perceived as unacceptable and illegal within the community. The aim of this study is to examine the socioeconomic challenges encountered by mother of children born of rape in the care of this children. The methodological approach of this study is based on a qualitative analysis. Semi structured interviews were conducted with 33 female survivors of sexual violence with children born of rape in the eastern DRC in the Kabare territory of the Katana groupement. The findings reveal that while all survivors experience trauma, those who give birth require distinct support. Mothers face numerous challenges in their caregiving roles, including financial hardship, fear of employment, low educational levels, loss of assets, lack of spousal support, and social stigmatization. Consequently, children born of rape encounter significant obstacles, especially for boys, in accessing basic services because of their mothers’ trauma, absence of paternal support, maternal ignorance, and societal stigma. Specific measures should be taken to improve the quality of life for both mothers and children affected by rape, fostering resilience and empowering them to overcome the numerous challenges they face.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13031-025-00674-0SupportRapeChildSurvivorsRepublic Democratic of Congo |
| spellingShingle | Euphrasie Kaningini Wamunzila Frieda Vandeninden Support for children born of rape in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: mother’s experiences and challenges Conflict and Health Support Rape Child Survivors Republic Democratic of Congo |
| title | Support for children born of rape in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: mother’s experiences and challenges |
| title_full | Support for children born of rape in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: mother’s experiences and challenges |
| title_fullStr | Support for children born of rape in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: mother’s experiences and challenges |
| title_full_unstemmed | Support for children born of rape in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: mother’s experiences and challenges |
| title_short | Support for children born of rape in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: mother’s experiences and challenges |
| title_sort | support for children born of rape in the democratic republic of the congo mother s experiences and challenges |
| topic | Support Rape Child Survivors Republic Democratic of Congo |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13031-025-00674-0 |
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