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 2011)
Eastern DRC continues to be characterized by widespread violence against civilians, perpetrated by both government forces and militias, and large-scale displacement. As per SCR 1925 (2010), the Secretary-General is due to present his final report to the Council by 13 May 2011, prior to the expiration of the mandate of MONUSCO (30 June 2011). This report should detail any progress on the ground “with a view of progressively adapting” the UN presence in the DRC, and strengthening the recent efforts of the mission to better protect civilians, including the Joint Protection Teams and Community Liaison Initiatives. Currently, a lack of resources limits their impact. In light of continuing attacks on civilians, including the persistently high levels of sexual violence against women and girls, and the failure to ensure justice, the Council must not introduce any changes in the MONUSCO mandate that would jeopardize the protection of civilians. and the effective application of relevant tactics employed by the Mission, that are showing some promise. These tactics should be expanded, not curtailed.
Relevant Resources
