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DR Congo

One Day: Victims of gender-based violence in DRC have safe space

Gender inequality is a deep-rooted issue in DRC

Pascaline Kabagene (43), Ayesha Machosi (37), and Jose Ngongo (61), members of the Protection Committee in the village of Butiaba, Ituri province, DR Congo. Photo: Garry Walsh / Trócaire Pascaline Kabagene (43), Ayesha Machosi (37), and Jose Ngongo (61), members of the Protection Committee in the village of Butiaba, Ituri province, DR Congo. Photo: Garry Walsh / Trócaire

From the outside, it isn’t much to look at. Yet a small hut in a remote village in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a lifeline to many women who are affected by violence here. This ‘listening point’ provides a safe space for survivors of violence to seek support.

Ituri province of DRC has seen some of the worst human rights abuses of Congo’s long running conflicts. This has included large-scale massacres and widespread sexual violence.

Gender inequality remains a deep-rooted issue in DRC. When women challenge these norms, gender-based violence is often used as a tactic against them. Sexual violence has also been used as a military tactic by armed forces.

“There are so many cases of violence against women in this village,” said Katembo Bernard who volunteers at the listening point. “It makes me shocked, it makes me really angry.”

Katembo supports survivors of gender-based violence in Butiaba village who come to the listening point. Together with other volunteers, he helps survivors to seek medical, legal and psychological support.

These supports can make a huge difference for survivors as they seek recovery, healing and justice.

Trócaire is celebrating 50 years of working together with partners, people who we support, staff, donors and supporters to create positive and lasting change. One Day showcases the profound impact of these collective efforts, highlighting the countless “One Days” where lives have been transformed. Together, for a just world. Explore more One Day stories here.

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