In a poignant and impactful return to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), The Duchess of Edinburgh has once again lent her voice and advocacy to the women and communities enduring the brutal realities of ongoing conflict. Her visit, from September 29 to October 2, 2024, came at the request of the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, marking the 25th anniversary of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security. This visit builds on her first journey to the DRC in 2022, deepening her commitment to supporting the country’s peacebuilders, especially women who play pivotal roles in conflict resolution and community resilience.
The Duchess’s visit took her to the northeastern city of Beni in the North Kivu province, a region that has become a new hub for humanitarian response following the capture of nearby Goma by the UN-sanctioned M23 armed group in January 2025. Beni is now a focal point for displaced people from across eastern DRC, a region plagued by violence from M23 and other militant groups like the ADF, leading to widespread human suffering, particularly for women and girls. There, The Duchess met with grassroots women peacebuilders who continue their vital work despite the threats of violence and reprisals.
Her visit also highlighted the indispensable role of UN peacekeepers, whose “blue helmets” are stationed across the region to protect civilians and support peacebuilding efforts. At their training facility, The Duchess heard from personnel who spoke about their efforts in stabilization and governance reforms, with many focusing on their mission to assist the Congolese government in securing peace. This interaction underscored the international dimension of the peace efforts that have become increasingly essential in the face of persistent regional instability.
One of the most moving parts of the visit was The Duchess’s engagement with women who have survived conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). At Beni General Hospital, The Duchess met with clinicians providing UK-funded services to survivors, listening to harrowing stories of resilience and survival. She spent time with women and girls affected by the ongoing conflict and displacement at the UK-supported Women’s Safe Space in Beni, an initiative providing psychosocial support and livelihoods training for those recovering from the trauma of war. These intimate conversations revealed the immense strength of those who continue to push for healing and justice, despite the relentless challenges they face.
The Duchess’s commitment to protecting and advocating for women’s rights was further evidenced in her visit to Virunga National Park, Africa’s oldest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, The Duchess learned about the park’s role in providing jobs, promoting women’s leadership, and generating clean energy, all while protecting the park’s unique biodiversity. Virunga National Park has become the largest employer in North Kivu, helping to stabilize the region’s economy while simultaneously offering hope to communities caught in the crossfire of violence.
The DRC visit also took The Duchess to the capital, Kinshasa, where she met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and President Felix Tshisekedi. There, she once again met Dr. Denis Mukwege, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate renowned for his work with sexual violence survivors, at the Panzi Clinic. This clinic provides comprehensive care for CRSV survivors, offering medical, psychosocial, legal, and socio-economic support. The Duchess’s connection to this clinic, through her patronage of the SPARC initiative, brings vital attention and funding to the care of women who have been systematically abused during times of conflict.
In a poignant moment, The Duchess visited a safe house supporting survivors of a mass rape that occurred during an escape attempt from Kinshasa’s Makala Central Prison in September 2024. Here, hundreds of female detainees were subjected to unspeakable violence. The safe house offers psychosocial care, legal advocacy, and economic support to help survivors rebuild their lives. The Duchess’s visit to this facility was a deeply emotional one, as she listened to survivors recount their experiences, highlighting the ongoing need for healing and reintegration.
On her final day in Kinshasa, The Duchess visited Kintambo General Hospital, where she met patients, clinicians, and civil society members working to strengthen the national health system. Joined by the first woman Prime Minister of the DRC and the Minister for Health, The Duchess discussed the necessary steps to improve healthcare services, particularly for the most vulnerable populations affected by conflict.
Throughout her visit, The Duchess of Edinburgh’s presence in the DRC has been a powerful reminder of the urgent need for international cooperation and sustained support for women and communities caught in conflict. Her advocacy has given a platform to those working tirelessly at the grassroots level to build peace and resilience, showing the world that even in the darkest of times, the strength of women continues to drive positive change.
As she continues her royal duties, this trip stands as a testament to the transformative role that women can play in peacebuilding, resilience, and advocacy, and it solidifies The Duchess’s commitment to highlighting the critical importance of addressing sexual violence in conflict zones. Her work in the DRC is part of a larger legacy of compassion, justice, and leadership, reminding us that every small effort to create peace can contribute to a larger, global movement for change.
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