Humanitarian Coordinator calls for continued efforts to end gender-based violence in Democratic Republic of Congo Kinshasa,

November 25, 2020 marks the start of the global 16 Days of Activism Campaign to End Violence Against Women. 

On this occasion, the Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. David McLachlan-Karr, calls for the mobilization of all actors to continue this fight so that women and girls, wherever they are in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), feel safe. In the first half of 2020, the number of reported cases of gender-based violence (GBV) increased significantly by 57%, with 26,908 cases against 17,105 in the same period in 2019. 

These figures are undoubtedly well below the reality, because many cases are not reported. This violence, which takes many forms, ranges from sexual violence, to child marriage, to psychological violence. Among the most affected provinces, North Kivu, with 10,909 cases leads, followed by South Kivu, 3,365 cases and Ituri 2,478 cases. The deteriorating security situation and unequal power relations between men and women in society in the DRC, exacerbated by preventive measures to deal with COVID-19 have contributed to the escalation of cases of violence based on violence kind to country.

“I am very concerned by the deterioration of the situation of these thousands of Congolese women and girls who continue to suffer all forms of violence. This is unacceptable. Violence, wherever it comes from, must stop and survivors must have access to adequate health care, psychosocial assistance, legal and judicial support, as well as socio-economic or educational reintegration ” a said Mr. McLachlan-Karr. 

From this point of view, the figures for care at the national level are very low. Thus, during the first half of 2020, 25 percent of GBV survivors had access to medical care, 5 percent to psychosocial assistance, 15 percent to legal assistance and only 0.5 percent. were able to benefit from socioeconomic reintegration. 

To fight against this scourge whose consequences are disastrous for both survivors and their families, the Congolese Government, with the support of humanitarian partners, has set up a green line that allows survivors of sexual violence and other forms of violence to denounce, in complete safety and with respect for their dignity, the crimes they have suffered. 

In addition, the humanitarian community as a whole operates a policy of zero tolerance in the face of all kinds of abuse and exploitation towards the beneficiaries with whom it works to alleviate daily suffering and investigations are underway to punish the perpetrators. these acts. 

December 10, which marks the end of the campaign, does not sign the end of the fight against violence against women. It will be about continuing the work that we have been doing for years, for the care of survivors of gender-based violence, but also to raise awareness and put in place protection mechanisms in order to eradicate these crimes.

Cassien Tribunal Aungane, Editor