Women take up arms as sexual violence ravages eastern DRC

In the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, an increasing number of women are taking up arms with the pro-government militia known as Wazalendo. They say they are motivated by a need to defend themselves and their communities amid ongoing conflict and pervasive sexual violence. The trend reflects the failure of state security forces to guarantee civilian protection in many areas.

Those joining Wazalendo are positioning themselves as local defenders against attacks and rape that have become widespread during the conflict. Their recruitment into the militia signals both desperation and agency: women who previously might have been solely victims or caregivers are now assuming combat roles to try to prevent further assaults.

At the same time, the Wazalendo group is subject to serious allegations of its own. Human rights accusations include a range of abuses, among them gang rape. These allegations complicate the narrative of protection, as the same actors locals are turning to for security are accused of committing grave violations.

The situation underscores a broader dilemma in eastern DRC: with limited reliable protection from formal security forces, civilians may turn to irregular armed groups for immediate defense, even when those groups are implicated in human rights abuses. That dynamic creates additional risks for accountability and for the safety of the communities these groups claim to protect.