“For several weeks, the International Non-Governmental Organization “Médecins Sans Frontières” (MSF-Belgium) has been leading an intense campaign against violence against women and girls in the Masisi territory, located in North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This initiative, called “16 days of activism to fight against all violence against women and girls”, ended on Monday, December 10, leaving behind a trail of awareness and action.
The fight against sexual violence, gender-based violence, family planning and HIV/AIDS prevention were at the heart of this campaign, which aimed to change mentalities and provide support to victims. MSF teams surveyed the field, highlighting alarming but revealing figures of the reality in this region. Only 11.8% of the population of Masisi-Centre, Ngomashi, Nyabiondo, Muheto, Kazinga and Lushebere know their serological status, a worrying figure that highlights the need to continue awareness-raising and screening actions.
During this campaign, more than 7,000 people were made aware, the majority of whom were women. The figures for victims of sexual and gender-based violence should not be ignored: 1,381 women and 334 men were recorded as victims. These statistics reveal the extent of the violence suffered by women and girls in this region already severely affected by armed conflicts.
Raising awareness about family planning was also a major focus of this campaign, with more than 2,600 women informed on the subject. Knowing one’s serological status is a key element in the fight against HIV AIDS, and the figures show a growing awareness of this need. However, there is still a long way to go, as evidenced by the 625 people still waiting to know their status.
Beyond the numbers, this campaign highlighted the need to unite all segments of the population to end violence against women and girls. In a region marked by armed conflict, it is imperative to create solidarity and collective awareness to establish a safe and egalitarian environment for all.
The discussions that took place during this campaign highlighted the multiple violence that women and girls suffer on a daily basis, whether physical, psychological, economic or sexual. The young participants identified the roots of this violence, pointing to a toxic masculinity conveyed by our customs and laws.
Committed to promoting equality between men and women, the young people promised to adopt behaviors that promote this equality within their family and community. They reaffirmed that no justification can legitimize violence against women and girls, a strong and necessary position in the fight for gender equality.
In conclusion, the campaign led by Médecins Sans Frontières in North Kivu is part of a broader fight to eliminate violence against women and girls. The importance of raising awareness, supporting victims and uniting communities around this cause cannot be underestimated. It is by working together, becoming aware of the issues and acting collectively that we can transform mentalities and build a more equal future for all.”
This text reflects an in-depth approach to the subject, highlighting the issues, actions taken and future prospects in the fight against violence against women and girls.