Karibuni Wa Mama Center: A Haven of Hope and Renewal for Survivors in Ituri, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
By Jeanne d’Arc Katungu Ndondo, SOFEPADI
In the heart of Ituri Province, in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a beacon of hope has shone for the past 26 years for women and girls who have survived sexual and gender-based violence. This refuge is known as the Karibuni Wa Mama Center, a Swahili name meaning “Welcome, Mothers” (Bienvenue les mamans).
Founded in 1998 by women displaced by war, Women’s Solidarity for Peace and Integral Development- SOFEPADI (Solidarité Féminine pour la Paix et le Développement Intégral) has become a recognised model for the holistic care of survivors of conflict-related sexual violence. Its mission is not only to heal victims but also to transform trauma into resilience and empowerment.
The strength of the Karibuni Wa Mama Center lies in its comprehensive approach. Recognising that sexual violence used as a weapon of war requires more than medical treatment, SOFEPADI structures its work around four key pillars: medical care, psychological support, legal assistance, and socio-economic reintegration.
Medical Care
The centre operates a specialised clinic where survivors receive emergency services, including post-exposure prophylaxis, treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and reconstructive surgery for severe injuries. Providing care to survivors is emotionally demanding, especially when victims are children. While every case of sexual violence has devastating consequences, abuse committed against children represents a particularly severe form of cruelty, often leaving long-lasting physical and emotional scars.
Psychological Support
Psychological care is one of the most important components of recovery. Qualified psychologists help survivors express their experiences, overcome stigma, regain self-confidence, and rebuild their lives. The invisible wounds caused by sexual violence require specialised and compassionate support. A fundamental principle guides every intervention: survivors must never feel judged. Empathy, respect, confidentiality, and active listening are essential to creating a safe environment for healing. Psychological support is particularly crucial in regions affected by prolonged conflict. In contexts where insecurity remains constant, there is no guarantee that a woman will not face renewed violence, displacement, or loss of property. While medical treatment and material assistance can be undermined by future crises, psychological resilience remains with the survivor.
Legal Assistance
Breaking the cycle of impunity is essential for justice and peace. The center provides legal assistance to survivors, helping them navigate judicial procedures and claim their rights. By accompanying women throughout the legal process, the center promotes accountability and reinforces the principle that sexual violence must not remain invisible or unpunished.
Socio-Economic Reintegration
Economic vulnerability often increases the risk of exclusion and continued hardship. To address this challenge, the centre offers literacy training, tailoring courses, business management skills, and support for income-generating activities. Many survivors also receive reintegration kits, such as sewing machines or start-up capital, enabling them to rebuild sustainable livelihoods and achieve financial independence. Beyond these services, the center provides a secure environment where solidarity among women becomes a powerful source of healing. Despite its remarkable impact and the thousands of lives it transforms every year, the Karibuni Wa Mama Center faces significant challenges. The volatile security situation in eastern DRC and the continuous arrival of displaced populations place increasing pressure on its resources and infrastructure. Supporting SOFEPADI and the Karibuni Wa Mama Center means investing directly in peace, recovery, and social reconstruction. Healing a woman helps restore the dignity of an entire family and community. Through medical care, psychological support, legal assistance, and economic empowerment, the centre demonstrates every day that resilience, hope, and human dignity can prevail over violence.
This article was first published in the Community Corner of our Just Reparation newsletter. These contributions are invaluable in enriching our collective understanding and fostering meaningful dialogue within the reparation community of practice. If you would like to be featured, we encourage you to submit your contributions to [email protected].