Monitoring and Evaluation of the Impact of Gender-Based Violence on Women’s Reproductive and Mental Health in the Kikimi Health Zone, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Abstract

Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a major public health concern worldwide, particularly affecting women in low-resource settings. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), GBV leads to severe physical, psychological, and reproductive health consequences (WHO, 2022). In Kikimi Health Zone, increasing reports of domestic and sexual violence underscore the need for systematic monitoring and evaluation of its impact on women’s reproductive and mental health. A mixed-methods descriptive and analytical study was conducted among 300 women aged 15–49 years in Kikimi. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and semi-structured interviews with survivors, health workers, and community actors. Quantitative data were analyzed with SPSS v25, while qualitative data were processed using thematic analysis following Braun & Clarke (2019). About 62% of respondents reported having experienced at least one form of GBV in the past year. Among them, 41% presented anxiety or depressive symptoms, and 37% experienced reproductive complications such as pelvic pain or miscarriages. The absence of psychosocial support worsened the mental and reproductive outcomes. GBV significantly affects the reproductive and mental health of women in Kikimi. Strengthening community-based prevention mechanisms, psychosocial support, and integrated monitoring and evaluation systems is crucial for mitigating its impacts.