Democratic Republic of Congo

Democratic Republic of Congo

In the DRC, Putting Survivors at the Center activities are directed by the Women for Women International country team as well as their local partner organization, RIO (Réseau d'Innovation Organisationnelle). Our findings in the DRC highlighted the need for better information on referrals and stronger support to community leaders, who reported frequently receiving spontaneous disclosures of GBV from women and girls in their communities. There was also a desire for more information about supporting survivors with disabilities. The activities taking place in the DRC respond to these specific needs as well as some of the larger thematic findings from the primary research conducted in Phase I of the project.

 

Activity locations:

  • Bukavu
  • Kaniola (Walungu)
  • Burhinyi (Mwenga)
  • Sangya, Nundu, & Swima (Fizi)
  • Kabare
  • Kalehe

  • Kiliba (Uvira)

 

Thematic Area

Pilot Program

Activity

  Improved Immediate Handling of DisclosuresPsychosocial First Aid (PFA) and Immediate Support for Survivors
  • “Handling Disclosures & Safe Referrals” training for WfWI and RIO frontline and support staff, and community leaders
  Connecting to and Supporting Existing Specialist ServicesStrengthening survivor-centered care attitudes among GBV service providers
  • Capacity building for existing specialized services (e.g., health providers on gender attitudes)
  • Training community leaders on gender equitable attitudes
Strengthening coordination between GBV and non-GBV specialists
  • Evaluation and exchange meetings with medical structures and representatives of women/girls living with disabilities
  • Facilitated discussions between GBV & non-GBV specialists
Strengthening referrals to specialized services
  • Emergency fund for survivors
  • Guidelines to support referrals for women with disabilities
  • Raise awareness of services and reduce stigma about accessing services
  • Training men on GBV to reduce stigma and support survivors to access services
  Medium to Long-term SupportProvision of psychosocial support
  • Provision of psychosocial activities in “spaces of trust”

 

 Technical Advisory Group: