Survivor Stories

FROM CAPTIVITY TO COURAGE, SHE IS RECLAIMING THE LIFE THAT WAS TAKEN FROM HER

A recent high school graduate in the capital, Cathy returned to her native village in the Plateau Bateke to work on the fields and save money. In an instant, everything fell apart: her father and brothers were murdered, her mother went missing and she was raped.

Survivor Stories

FROM SURVIVOR TO PROVIDER, SHE IS REBUILDING HER LIFE IN HER OWN TERMS

Voices of Resilience

Furahini* (name changed) is a young survivor who was violently attacked in 2023. At Panzi Hospital, she found the support she needed to overcome her painful experience. Like many young women before her, she regained control of her life through the transformative programs at Maison Dorcas. This is her story of resilience.

FROM CAPTIVITY TO COURAGE, SHE IS RECLAIMING THE LIFE THAT WAS TAKEN FROM HER

SHE WAS ONE OF THE FEW WHO CAME TO PANZI BEFORE IT WAS TOO LATE

In Kinshasa, only 11% of sexual violence survivors treated at the One Stop Center are seen within the critical 72-hour window. Bijou was one of them, and that decision changed everything.

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Holistic care

Panzi Foundation, in partnership with Panzi Hospital, has treated over 85,000 survivors of sexual violence. Our holistic model of care addresses not only the physical wounds but also the psychological, legal, and socioeconomic needs of survivors.

The Murad Code

Panzi is committed to protecting the dignity, safety, and agency of survivors when their stories are shared. The Murad Code, created by Dr. Mukwege’s Nobel Peace Prize co-laureate Nadia Murad, is a global framework that promotes ethical and survivor-centered approaches to collecting and using testimonies of sexual violence. We use these principles in sharing survivor stories and encourage all partners and storytellers to do the same.

Together we can end this crisis.