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 (April 2010)
There will be a Security Council mission to several African countries, including the DRC. The mission should meet with the women’s rights advocates who are trying to engage in these ongoing peace processes. In addition, the MONUC report is due in the Council on 1st April. The report should accurately portray the current humanitarian crisis and the dire situation for women and girls. Violence against women and girls is a critical security concern and roadblock to peace in the DRC. Some NGOs report that the level of brutality against women and girls is increasing as survivors seeking services describe being subjected to mutilation and torture, gang rape and abduction by armed groups. The report should reflect consultation with women’s groups and NGOs, as prior lack of consultation has left few opportunities for women’s priorities to be presented to the Security Council. Priority attention must be given to efforts to improve humanitarian coordination and assistance. The report should also include analysis of effective actions for enhancing women’s protection and the existence of critical response gaps.
Relevant Resources
