Project profile — Justice, Empowerment and Dignity of Women and Girls in the DRC

The project aims to prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) - such as sexual harassment, intimidation, early marriage and rape - as well as to unhealthy practices. It aims to improve the holistic management of survivors through multisectoral integrated service centres (MISC). The MISCs would make medical, psychosocial, legal and socioeconomic reintegration or school re-entry services available to girls and young women who are survivors of SGBV. Not only does the project contribute to SGBV prevention and to promote the rights of girls and women through a national campaign for change in social behaviours, but it also promotes a communication and engagement strategy for men and boys to change their behaviours and perceptions on sexual and gender-based violence. Project activities include: (1) community outreach and youth engagement; (2) strengthening community-based protection networks; (3) establishing the MISCs; (4) strengthening the capacity of lawyers and legal defenders; (5) developing initiatives that encourage female entrepreneurship and the socioeconomic reintegration of survivors or re-entry of underage victims into the school system; and (6) strengthening national coordination in the fight against SGBV.

Expected results for the project include: (1) decreased SGBV through social mobilization and the transformation of sociocultural attitudes and norms that are harmful to women and girls; (2) further strengthening of the empowerment and resilience of SGBV survivors through integrated, multisectoral, efficient and coordinated assistance and the increased efficiency of protection strategies; and (3) increased efficiency of protection, prevention and response strategies for SGBV through a unified national mechanism that is coordinated at the political and operational levels.

Results achieved as of December 2024 include: (1) provided medical care to 16,166 survivors of sexual violence, and psychosocial care to 18,252; (2) 1,472 targeted communities adopted positive social and cultural attitudes and norms in terms of gender-based violence and gender equality; and (3) provided high-quality legal and judicial support and assistance to 4,242 survivors of gender-based violence. Most of these beneficiaries are women and girls.