“We must transform pain into restored dignity, silence into speech, and commitments into concrete reparations.”
After more than three decades of armed, political, and communal conflict, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is taking a historic stand for the more than 10 million victims of conflict-related sexual violence. With the creation of FONAREV—the Fonds National de Réparations des Victimes—survivors will now receive long-overdue recognition, protection, and reparation under Law No. 22/06, signed into law on December 26, 2022.
This groundbreaking initiative represents a turning point for the DRC, where sexual violence has been weaponized to devastate individuals, families, and entire communities. Survivors have faced not only profound physical and psychological trauma but also deep social stigma, economic insecurity, and generational loss of dignity.
President Félix Tshisekedi emphasized the urgency of the mission:
“We must transform pain into restored dignity, silence into speech, and commitments into concrete reparations.”
The Role of Leadership
The effort is championed by the First Lady of the DRC, Madame Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi, a United Nations Global Champion for the Prevention of Sexual Violence. She has long been a dedicated advocate for survivors and now brings her influence to this transformative platform.
“It is time to guarantee all victims their right to the truth and, even more importantly, to justice, so that such a tragedy never happens again,” said the First Lady.
International Spotlight at the UNGA
To ensure the voices of survivors resonate globally, FONAREV will host a high-level conference during the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York City. The event will gather policymakers, international organizations, and members of the global press to discuss concrete pathways to justice and reparations.
- Conference Date & Time: September 22, 2025, at 11:00 AM
- Location: New York City (venue details provided upon confirmation)
- RSVP: Required via media contact
Healing Through Art: Art for Peace and Resilience
Alongside policy discussions, FONAREV will debut “Art for Peace and Resilience,” an exhibition curated by acclaimed Congolese artist Aimé Mpane. The exhibition brings together voices from the Academy of Fine Arts in Kinshasa to construct a shared narrative of resilience.
When words fail to convey the enormity of human suffering, art emerges as a language of recognition and hope. The exhibition will spotlight the resilience of survivors and the collective memory of the Congolese people while drawing attention to the Genocost—a movement advocating global recognition of crimes committed against the Congolese people.
- Exhibition Title: Fonarev // Art for Peace and Resilience
- Location: 15 E 40th Street, New York, NY 10016
- Dates: September 23 – 26, 2025, from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
A Call for Global Recognition
Patrick Fata, Director General of FONAREV, underscored the moral obligation behind the initiative:
“Genocost is not just a concept or a symbolic date. It is the embodiment of a duty: to raise awareness, to recognize, and to make amends. It also reminds us that memory is a right, and that any society worthy of the name must honor its dead with truth and courage.”
By combining legal action, political will, and the healing power of art, FONAREV aims not only to deliver justice to survivors but also to restore dignity to the Congolese people. This moment marks the beginning of a new chapter in which resilience, remembrance, and reparations take center stage.