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Peace initiatives and protection of women in Eastern Congo

Support to peace and stability in eastern DR Congo II

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  • Client

    German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

  • Political sponsors

    More

  • Runtime

    2022 to 2024

  • Products and expertise

    Security, reconstruction, peace

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Context

Eastern Congo has been suffering from armed conflicts and the associated humanitarian and political crises for almost three decades. The provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri are the worst affected. The conflict is primarily being waged between the country’s army and armed groups; however, neighbouring countries are also involved, particularly Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi. Citizens are killed in the region every day, and violence against girls and women is widespread. There are millions of internally displaced people in the country.

The international community is active in the conflict regions. However, many peace initiatives – especially local ones – cannot tap their full potential due to a lack of expertise and funding as well as inadequate coordination.

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Objective

Peacebuilding initiatives in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces are receiving technical, financial and organisational support and are better coordinated. They are working to achieve gender equal opportunities.

Approach

The project cooperates with the United Nations Development Programme to build the capacities of local and international initiatives that are working to achieve stability in the regions affected by the conflict. It also works with civil society in particular to implement initiatives to protect women from sexual and gender-based violence and care for victims. One organisation it works with is the Panzi Foundation, which is run by Nobel Peace Prize winner Denis Mukwege.

In communities affected by the conflicts, the project promotes participation formats to resolve violence and conflicts. This is combined with community development projects. To this end, the project works with non-governmental organisations, community leaders and government institutions.

Initiatives for peaceful conflict resolution and gender equality are also accompanied by peace journalism. Community radios are provided for this purpose and journalists receive training.

Last update: September 2023

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