Fatshimetrie, August 6, 2024 – A new breath of hope is rising in the Ituri region of the Democratic Republic of Congo with the official launch of the “Support for the Peace Process and Stabilization of Eastern DRC” project, highlighting the essential participation of women. In a country marked by decades of conflict and violence, this initiative is of paramount importance for building lasting peace.
Under the leadership of the NGO Forum de mamans de l’Ituri (FOMI), the project will last eight months and will focus on promoting the role of women in peace and decision-making mechanisms. Ms. Rosine Ngadjoy, FOMI project manager, emphasizes the importance of this gender-based approach, aimed at enabling women to play an active role in peacebuilding. It highlights the need for women’s representation in decision-making bodies, while emphasizing the imperative of involving young people in the process of Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration and Community Reintegration of ex-combatants (P-DDRCS).
This ambitious project will cover five chiefdoms in the Irumu territory, namely Andisoma, Mobala, Baboa Bokoe, Babelebe and Bahema d’Irumu, areas particularly affected by conflict. Ms. Rosine Ngadjoy calls on women to take full ownership of this project, emphasizing that they are often the first victims of violence but that they also have a crucial role to play in promoting peace. The involvement of men, local authorities, the P-DDRCS and the territorial administration is also essential for the success of this initiative.
The NGO FOMI benefits from the technical and financial support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the European Union for the implementation of this project. This collaboration demonstrates the commitment of the international community to promote peace and stability in the eastern region of the DRC.
Beyond the figures and objectives set, it is above all a glimmer of hope that is emerging on the horizon for the populations of Ituri. Women, often marginalized and victims of conflict, are being offered a platform to make their voices heard and actively contribute to building a better future. In a context marked by resilience and determination, this project embodies a further step towards reconciliation and the reconstruction of a society scarred by years of war.