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 Congo (May 2012)
In advance of the expected June mandate renewal of the UN mission in the DRC, MONUSCO, the Council is expected to receive the Secretary-General’s most recent report on MONUSCO. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, one million people are currently displaced in North and South Kivu as a result of ongoing insecurity and the resumption of FARDC operations against the FDLR. Given the MONUSCO mandate to protect civilians, the Council should inquire into reporting on the impact of recent violence in the east of the country on the civilian population, particularly regarding displaced populations in South Kivu, with a specific inquiry into the status of women in these populations and their protection concerns. In its additional discussions regarding the situation created in North Kivu due to attacks by former elements of the CNDP under the alleged leadership of Bosco Ntaganda, the Security Council should strongly support the DRC government, including through assistance by MONUSCO, in arresting and surrendering him for trial before the ICC. The Council should also make sure that a comprehensive national security sector reform strategy is developed and implemented, ensuring that any integration of former armed group members into the FARDC is complemented with a proper and comprehensive screening and vetting mechanism.
Relevant Resources
