Title: A strong commitment to the protection of victims of sexual violence – The first lady of the DRC in discussion with the United Nations
Introduction :
As part of her participation in the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, the First Lady of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi, had fruitful discussions with the Office of the Under-Secretary of the United Nations in burden of conflict-related sexual violence. This meeting was an opportunity for the Directorate of the National Fund for Reparation of Victims of Sexual Violence in Conflicts and Crimes Against the Peace and Security of Humanity (FONAREV) to present its work and establish bridges of collaboration.
A solid roadmap for reparation for victims:
During this meeting, Lucien Lundula Lolatui, General Director of FONAREV, presented the organization’s roadmap as well as the actions already undertaken. Among these actions, we include the commemoration of Genocost which took place on August 2, as well as a recent information campaign in five provinces of the DRC. This campaign allowed FONAREV to establish direct contact with victims, but also with personalities committed to the fight against sexual violence, such as Doctor Denis Mukwege, Nobel Peace Prize winner.
A promising collaboration with the United Nations:
The United Nations Under-Secretary in charge of conflict-related sexual violence, Pramilla Patten, assured FONAREV of her support and support. The discussions made it possible to identify collaboration bridges, particularly in terms of the exchange of best practices. Experts from FONAREV and those who have worked on reparations in other regions of the world, such as Iraq, Kosovo and Guinea, will establish a cooperation framework to share their expertise and improve reparation actions.
Towards better protection of victims:
This meeting between the First Lady of the DRC and the United Nations Office in charge of conflict-related sexual violence demonstrates the country’s strong commitment to protecting victims and fighting these heinous crimes. FONAREV, under the direction of Lucien Lundula Lolatui, is implementing concrete actions to meet the needs of victims and work towards their reparation.
Conclusion :
The First Lady of the DRC, Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi, and FONAREV are firmly committed to the protection and reparation of victims of sexual violence. Collaboration with the United Nations represents a valuable opportunity to exchange good practices and strengthen actions in favor of victims. Through these joint efforts, it is possible to hope for a more just and secure future for all, where victims of sexual violence will find support and reparation.