The scope of sexual violence in the DRC is a well known reality that has been documented and reported by media, NGOs, international institutions and States. Initiatives and calls for mobilization against sexual violence have multiplied over the last four years, but have not brought any concrete results on the ground.
Born of the need to bolster the fight against sexual violence, our fund initiative aims to ensure that the assistance mobilized goes directly to the victims.
To achieve this, our efforts aim to reach organizations and institutions that are working to:
- compile information on the various initiatives and campaigns on sexual violence in the DRC;
- provide players on the ground with on-line access to information
- appeal for better coordination of assistance on the ground;
- bring recognition to the crucial role played by associations that provide assistance to victims;
- ensure that the needs of victims are met;
- ensure that the perpetrators of sexual crimes are prosecuted.
- afford means of support to organizations that are supporting the victims of rape and sexual abuses in the DRC
In our support to various calls and initiatives by various organizations working in this area, we fully agree with initiatives of other groups calling on:
- international organizations, public development aid agencies and international non-government organizations to relocate their decision-making centres to the heart of the regions affected by sexual violence;
- international organizations, public development aid agencies and INGOs to develop working relationships and partnerships that include local women’s NGOs in the decision-making processes related to the fight against sexual violence;
- international organizations, public development aid agencies and INGOs to recognize that local NGOs have the same right as State players and other members of the international community to take part in decision-making processes;
- the government of the DRC to enforce the law on sexual violence; strengthen the capacity of police forces; provide the legal system with adequate resources; and offer victims the medical and psychosocial resources they need.
