Safe Abortion Care

Democratic Republic of Congo: "There is no need to be afraid"

We were coming back from the lake. Armed men had come, so the others fled. I had no strength to run, and they raped me.

When I came home, I was afraid to tell my husband. I missed my next period. He knew something was wrong, so I explained to him what had happened. That's when we came to the hospital. They gave me the abortion pills and I took them—they really helped me.

I told the nurse I was afraid to seek care. "We are here to help you,” the nurse said. “When you come to the hospital, it is confidential. No one else can listen to what we talk about with you. There is no need to be afraid. You did well to come—we will always help you.”

If I meet someone who needs help, I will advise them to go to the nurses. I will explain to them the benefits of coming to the hospital and the consequences of not.