Military spouses in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: experiences of navigating institutional gaps in militarized communities
Military spouses in the Democratic Republic of the Congo occupy an ambiguous position between civilian and military spheres, limiting their access to both military welfare and civilian assistance. Based on qualitative research (2023–2024) in three FARDC camps in South Kivu, including focus groups with over 100 spouses and interviews with reform actors, this brief examines how institutional arrangements shape their daily lives.
Findings show a gap between legal provisions and reality. Although military laws guarantee housing, healthcare, and allowances, these are rarely implemented. Spouses instead rely on informal economies and survival strategies, reflecting ‘double exclusion’ from both military and civilian systems. Gender norms shift social protection responsibilities onto women, whose contributions remain unrecognized. These challenges intensify during crises such as deployment, injury, or death. The brief argues that military family welfare is essential to security sector reform. Strengthening legal implementation and improving coordination can reduce precarity, enhance military legitimacy, and support broader social stability.