Rising Gender-Based Violence in Central African Republic: Impact and Challenges

Sexual assaults and other cases of gender-based violence are increasing in the Central African Republic, with alleged attackers including Wagner mercenaries, bandits, and United Nations peacekeepers. Since 2020, incidents have jumped from about 9,200 reported cases to 25,500, according to cases tracked by the U.N. and partners. International funding for the country has dropped, with gender-based violence receiving some of the least support. The humanitarian request for about $14 million received less than 15% of that, according to the U.N.

The Central African Republic has been in conflict since 2013, when predominantly Muslim rebels seized power and forced the president from office. A 2019 peace deal only lessened the fighting, and six of the 14 armed groups that signed later left the agreement. Wagner, a U.N. peacekeeping mission, and Rwandan troops are all on the ground to try to quell the violence.

Doctors Without Borders, one of the main organizations working on gender-based violence, says it has seen an increase in patients due to the expansion of services and outreach. However, the majority of survivors likely don’t come forward, often because help is not available where they live.

Women who come forward find it hard to receive justice, as they often open a case against local fighters but withdraw it because perpetrators’ families pay survivors not to proceed. The challenges are compounded by funding cuts, which have prevented staff from reaching women in more rural areas, accompanying them to court, and providing medical and mental health support.