Central African Republic
Since 2002, the Central African Republic (CAR) has endured some form of armed conflict, with sexual violence used indiscriminately by all parties. Most victims have never seen justice.
Our work in CAR started in 2020, when research for our Global Reparations Study began, and ended with the conclusion of our interim reparative measures project in early 2026.
Our partners worked with 277 survivors in Dékoa (17 men and 260 women) to co-create their interim measures. Participants received vocational training, individual and collective therapy sessions, and legal assistance in acquiring birth certificates. They also received specialised medical care, including surgery for fistula and other injuries resulting from sexual violence.
Project partners
Comité Interafricain de lutte contre les pratiques traditionnelles néfastes à l’égard des filles et des femmes (CIAF-RCA)
Women Act for Living Together (WALT)
No one would ever have imagined that I could take such a giant step in my life. Today, when I speak, people listen to me, they respect me, I am running a business. I am a new person.
Comprehensive support
All survivors decided to pursue some form of livelihood activity. A total of 187 survivors chose to establish businesses and vending stalls – including at the local market – which have become a symbol of pride and a visible sign of transformation. Others chose agricultural pursuits, from the rearing of over 400 animals to crop farming, thereby contributing to greater family resilience and community food security. They also began producing and selling soap, previously brought in from Bangui at higher costs, therefore reducing household expenses.
Others chose literacy classes or set up local savings and credit associations, attracting more than 200 members of their local communities.
Therapy and psychosocial support throughout the project helped many survivors move forward from what they endured, and resulted in a 53 per cent reduction in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.
2020
277
53%
REDUCTION IN PTSD SYMPTOMS
Advocacy
The project also included important Advocacy and Guide work with the Central African authorities, and the Truth, Justice, Reparation and Reconciliation Commission (CVJRR), responsible for developing a reparation policy in CAR. The initiative bore fruit with the nomination of a survivor as the head of the Survivors’ Promotion and Empowerment Unit within the Ministry of Gender, Protection of Women, Children and Family. GSF also played a key role in advocating for a survivor appointment to the CVJRR, ensuring that the voices and needs of survivors are at the forefront of the national agenda.
Our advocacy work also included children affected by conflict-related sexual violence who received psychosocial support and access to legal identity documents as part of the project. In discussions with authorities in Dékoa, we highlighted the specific needs of these children, who are often overlooked. Obtaining such documents will allow them to enrol in school and fulfil other basic rights, as well as accessing reparation mechanisms.
Ownership
Throughout the project, survivors played a direct role in both the design and implementation of project activities and elected five representatives to join the Steering Committee. Focal points from both the Ministries of Gender and Humanitarian Action, who also sat on the Committee, allowed for follow-up with the government and played a crucial role in supporting a possible national reparation programme.
In June 2025, the GRS was launched in Bangui. Survivors conveyed a clear message to government representatives, civil society actors, and humanitarian organisations gathered for the event: Reparation is an essential right for our dignity, and you need to fulfil it.
More from the Central African Republic
- Project Update
- Central African Republic
