"Since January 2025, the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has forced countless families from their homes, leaving many women to survive as widows or single mothers while carrying the deep trauma of violence, displacement, and loss. Our partnership with The Refugee Archive has made a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable women in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Through this collaboration, The Refugee Archive interviewed eight single mothers living with trauma caused by conflict, displacement, sexual violence, and loss. For many of them, it was the first time they had spoken openly about their experiences.

The oral history interviews gave these women a safe space to share their pain, begin their healing journey, and have their voices heard internationally. We believe their stories will help others see them not as victims or people marked by shame, but as women of courage whose experiences can inspire hope and understanding.

There are many more women in our communities who need this opportunity. We hope this partnership continues so that more survivors can tell their stories, preserve their histories, and begin healing. We also believe these oral histories will help their children understand that they are not the result of shame, but a testimony to their mothers' resilience and strength."