Inmates in the women’s section at the central prison of Bukavu, in the province of South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, can now benefit from a renovated kitchen thanks to the intervention of MONUSCO. In an official ceremony which took place on Thursday September 21, the handover of the kitchen and humanization equipment was carried out.
Before this renovation, female prisoners had to prepare their meals individually, due to the lack of a functional common kitchen. This situation was particularly unfavorable for women from low-income families. The rehabilitation of the kitchen will allow better organization of meals and will promote a dynamic of solidarity between the inmates.
The official handover of the kitchen was accompanied by the distribution of humanization materials including pots, basins, buckets, dishes, cups and sanitary napkins for the women prisoners. This essential equipment will help improve living and hygiene conditions within the prison.
The kitchen rehabilitation project was initiated following an observation made by the MONUSCO Prison Administration Support Unit. Indeed, it became clear that the absence of a common kitchen had a negative impact on the daily lives of women prisoners. The fireplace and the wastewater disposal system were also defective, making the situation even more precarious.
The director of the central prison of Bukavu spoke during the handover ceremony of the kitchen, expressing his satisfaction with this improvement in detention conditions. However, he stressed that other needs persisted and required MONUSCO’s support.
The legal representative of the penitentiary establishments also welcomed the rehabilitation project, highlighting the challenges he had to face in carrying out this project. He also recalled the importance of solidarity between inmates to ensure the sustainability and proper use of the equipment provided.
The rehabilitation of the kitchen of the women’s section at the central prison of Bukavu is a major step forward in improving the conditions of detention of women prisoners. By offering a common and functional kitchen space, MONUSCO helps to promote cohesion and mutual assistance between detainees, while meeting basic needs in terms of food and hygiene.