ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the conformity with international law of the relevant national law on sexual violence crimes. It brings a particular focus on the power dynamics within law, while analyzing the legal system in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The chapter is divided into three main sections. The first examines the international legal framework on sexual violence crimes in conflict. In the second, the national law on said crimes is analyzed. Finally, the third section presents customary dispute resolution mechanisms in addition to formal legal sources. In addition to facilitating the prosecution of perpetrators of sexual violence crimes in conflict at the international level, international legal frameworks have trickled down to national jurisdictions, including that of the DRC, as international actors have advocated the alignment of national law with international law. The dominant role of international actors in challenging sexual violence crimes in conflict allowed them to impose their own categorizations, definitions and solutions.
