Democratic Republic of the Congo
Women in the Democratic Republic of Congo continue to face widespread sexual violence, disease, and displacement in conflict situations arising from clashes between dozens of armed groups. Often, sexual violence and rape are used as terror tactics and weapons of war, and despite the ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Women’s Platform for the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework, women are still largely underrepresented in peacebuilding efforts. Additionally, women activists face rape as a form of torture by government actors who disagree with their political activity. The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) aims to provide protection for civilians, including reducing the threat of armed groups perpetrating sexual and gender-based violence, monitoring and reporting on sexual violence and ensuring women’s participation in stabilization and national political dialogue.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continue to face widespread sexual violence, disease, and displacement in conflict situations arising from clashes between dozens of armed groups. Often, sexual violence and rape are used as terror tactics and weapons of war, and despite the ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), and the Women’s Platform for the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework, women are still largely underrepresented in peacebuilding efforts.
Additionally, women activists face rape as a form of torture by government actors who disagree with their political activity. The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) aims to provide protection for civilians, including reducing the threat of armed groups perpetrating sexual and gender-based violence, monitoring and reporting on sexual violence and ensuring women’s participation in stabilization and national political dialogue.
Current and Past Recommendations to the UN Security Council (Monthly Action Points)
Democratic Republic of the Congo (September 2018)
In light of the forthcoming discussion regarding the latest reports on the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), the Council must discuss the participation of women in the peace agreement and political processes as a priority issue. The information provided by the Secretary-General on the extent to which women are engaged in implementing the political agreement has been non-existent in recent updates (S/2018/174, S/2018/128, S/2017/963, S/2018/655). The Council should inquire as to MONUSCO’s efforts to engage all women in political processes at all levels, including in the context of the significant concerns that have been raised regarding the newly signed electoral law and ensure continued protection of women activists, candidates, and civil society representatives in light of continued threats to their safety and security. Further, the drafting of three bills which would enact restrictions on the ways in which CSOs operate, and also force HRDs to register with the Government, should be of particular concern given the ongoing targeting of CSOs and activists. The Council should accordingly call on the Government and elected officials to vote down the laws. Finally, the Council should demand the urgent implementation of the recommendations of the Commission of Investigation (Commission d’Enquête Mixte 3121) regarding the violent oppression of peaceful demonstrations by the security forces on 31 December 2017 and on 21 January 2018.
Relevant Resources
