The Church of Christ of the Congo (ECC) is the Protestant ecumenical partner church in the Democratic Republic of Congo with headquarters in the capital city of Kinshasa that relates to Global Ministries.  The Community of the Disciples of Christ in Congo (CDCC) forms part of the ECC.  Global Ministries has had a relationship with this ecumenical church organization since its birth and has supported ministries and several projects in recent years, most notably those presented by the Department of Women and the Family.

The recent civil war following the departure of long-time dictator, Mobutu Sese Seko, lasted six years before there was relative calm.  Although the war has officially ended, there are still skirmishes in the eastern part of Congo.  The people of Congo have known many forms of violence – the death of more than five million people, the violent rape of women and girls, and the systematic destruction of infrastructure and the environment.  Every region of the country has been affected; however, the eastern provinces continue to be plagued by atrocities.  This is especially true of women and young girls who continue to be raped on a daily basis with hundreds of new cases being reported. 

The Church of Christ of the Congo's Department of Women and Family has cared for many of the victimized women through visits of consolation and solidarity.  During these visits, they have learned that:

• Among the women who have been raped, many are traumatized doubly when they afterward are rejected by their husbands and their families because of the "shame" that the rape has brought to the family.  These women are also continuing victims of barbaric actions by men in uniform and men of bad faith.
• Girls between four and twelve years of age have been victims of rape and their medical recovery will be slow due to the severity of injuries caused to these small children.  Some of these injuries cannot be completely repaired; therefore, many girls will be physically affected for their entire lives. 
• The women and children are at risk of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases. 
• Women and girls are vulnerable to undesired pregnancies, and many are not in a position to support the newborn.  Young girls' health can be compromised by a pregnancy while they are still growing. 
• The war has left many orphaned without family and community support.  With an already debilitated infrastructure, the addition of many orphans further taxes the country already lacking in sanitation, education, food, and shelter. 

Local churches have stepped up and, despite their meager resources, are providing some medical care and support to rape survivors and orphans.  However, there is still a need for long term effective accompaniment if these survivors are to progress and find mental, spiritual, and psychological healing.  They must be allowed to vent their frustrations, alleviate the trauma, and find a spirit of forgiveness.  They must also find means to rebuild their social and economic capacity.