The Toyokana Center's Mission in Kinshasa

The Toyokana Center, whose name means "Let's listen to one another" in Lingala, operates in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The center provides care and support for girls who have experienced sexual assault, emphasizing listening to survivors.

Social worker Loa Falone stated that creating such a safe space was a primary demand from these girls, noting that many cases of sexual violence occur within families.

Origin and The Rising Tide of Sexual Violence

The concept for the Toyokana Center originated from a 2022 forum that gathered 100 girls and young women (ages 13-24) from across the DRC and other African nations. During the three-day event, sexual violence was a recurring topic, with many participants being survivors or having close relatives who were abused, according to Ramatou Toure, UNICEF DRC chief of child protection.

A UNICEF report indicates a four-year increase in sexual violence against children. In the past year, over 45,000 cases were recorded, though the actual number is likely higher due to underreporting.

Toure attributes this rise in part to ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, which has displaced approximately 7 million people into camps where sexual violence is prevalent. Urban poverty and child marriage also contribute to the issue, alongside a lack of perpetrator accountability.

This lack of accountability fosters a sense of helplessness among victims.

Comprehensive Support and Education

The Toyokana Center offers various services, including direct medical attention for physical trauma and psychological support for conditions such as depression, PTSD, and anxiety. Therapists like Annie Kikoli emphasize that isolation can lead to negative self-perception and abnormal behavior in survivors. The center's staff, including Falone, employs careful observation during group sessions to identify and discreetly support quiet children.

In addition to addressing trauma, the center provides informal education. Georgette Uma, a supervisor, recounted assisting a girl who, after multiple assaults, learned to read and write, becoming a role model.

The two Toyokana centers in Kinshasa have assisted over 100,000 girls.

However, Uma noted the critical need for expansion, especially into conflict-affected regions where the problem is most acute.

Funding Shortfalls and Future Outlook

Despite the demonstrated need, funding for clinics like Toyokana in the DRC has been significantly reduced. Toure reported that foreign assistance from the U.S. and other Western countries was nearly halved, dropping from $18 million in 2024 to an projected $10 million in 2025. This significant reduction has disrupted or halted many vital local programs for sexual violence.

Toure emphasized that achieving peace in eastern DRC and strengthening the criminal justice system are crucial for child safety and perpetrator accountability.

While these larger structural issues may take years to resolve, smaller initiatives like Toyokana are considered vital and offer hope in the immediate term.