Empowering the Kumu Community to Combat Gender-Based Violence and Promote Sexual and Reproductive Health: a Prevention Mechanism Against STIs and STDs in Nyiragongo, North Kivu, DRC
Through this project, APEDH is improving access to basic healthcare by providing material support to healthcare teams in the 5 health zones of Nyiragongo. This support will enable healthcare facilities to expand their services and provide 24-hour care to patients and victims of sexual assault.
Based on the needs identified, the technical support will focus on the joint organization (with the health zones) of various community awareness-raising activities and training for healthcare staff.
APEDH is also aiming to build 50 emergency shelters in collaboration with the health zones, with 10 shelters per health zone. These shelters will help meet the increased need for emergency housing in overcrowded areas.
The project also aims to raise awareness among at least 12,000 girls and women in the local Kumu community about good hygiene practices and sexual and reproductive health. This will be achieved through the establishment of safe spaces where community awareness sessions will be conducted.
Additionally, the project will provide psychological and medical support for 230 survivors of SGBV and distribute dignity kits to 150 women and girls.
The following video was shot on Thursday, May 24, 2024, as APEDH brought together 30 Indigenous women and girls from the Buvira settlement in Nyiragongo territory for an awareness-raising workshop on sexual and reproductive health.
APEDH is also focused on strengthening communication with communities, authorities, civil society, and displaced people to prevent and combat SGBV and restore harmony in the community.
The organization will set up 5 safe spaces and train 5 psychosocial assistants, with 1 PSA per safe space, to provide psychological support and refer survivors of SGBV in need to partner health facilities for medical care.
The next video shows APEDH's team engaged in the community consultation process, in May 2024, to guarantee that the local authorities in the Buvira settlement support the project's initiatives.
Finally, an important part of the project is the establishment of Village Savings and Credit Associations (AVECs) to provide economic support to the affected women.
The AVECs will receive start-up funds and technical support to empower the women and promote their financial independence.
Overall, APEDH's strategy combines healthcare support and psychosocial care, awareness-raising, and economic empowerment to address the problem of gender-based-violence and promote the well-being and rights of the Kumu women and girls.
Update - July 2024
Access to safe and affordable housing is a fundamental right, and we're proud to support APEDH in making this a reality for the displaced Kumu Indigenous population in Buvira settlement, North Kivu, DRC.
On June 20, 2024, APEDH began constructing 30 temporary shelters and a listening point for Kumu families. The current living conditions expose women and girls to severe risks, including gender-based violence and exploitation. Just last month, 13 GBV cases and a tragic murder were recorded. The shelters are steadily taking shape, offering much-needed security.
APEDH is also empowering women and girls through Village Savings and Credit Associations (AVECs). These initiatives promote financial independence and aim to reduce inequalities and health risks.
Four AVECs are already operational, with 25 members each. APEDH will now provide essential kits and supplies to the AVECs, fostering socio-economic reintegration for women and girls impacted by conflict and violence.
Madame Odette, president of the Tuungane AVEC, has expressed her heartfelt gratitude for APEDH's initiative. One testimony that showcases APEDH's strides towards a safer, more empowered future for the Kumu Indigenous community.
Update - August 2024
Motivated by a desire to improve the socio-economic living conditions of Indigenous Kumu women and girls, APEDH is distributing kits and supplies to the newly-established Village Savings and Credit Associations (AVECs) in the Nyiragongo territory. The kits include metal boxes, pen boxes, stamps, attendance lists, notebooks, ink pads, stamp anchors, padlocks and ministerial notebooks.
After taking part in an awareness-raising workshop on financial empowerment, Kumu women launched several income-generating activities. However, in the absence of suitable kits and equipment for the smooth running of their AVECs, they had difficulty saving, granting credit and getting their AVECs off to a good start.
A lack of means is often at the root of the struggle to make their income-generating activities stable. Madame Anuarite, speaking on behalf of several women, called for their funds to be strengthened to guarantee their financial autonomy. In Nyiragongo territory, 9 out of 10 women face financial difficulties, a situation exacerbated by a toxic patriarchal system, inequalities and injustices.
Whether displaced or not, everyone has the right to decent housing. Unfortunately, the war situation in North Kivu province has forced thousands of families to abandon their homes and live in camps or with host families. The construction of shelters to house IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) families in the Buvira camp is still underway. 150 households have already benefited from the temporary shelters APEDH is building as part of this project.
Monitoring officer Philippe Kassa and psychosocial worker Wivine Ruboneka recorded 40 cases of violence in the Buvira groupement, including 10 cases of GBV (gender-based violence), 9 cases of physical violence, 1 case of forced marriage, 11 cases of sexual assault, 3 cases of economic violence, 4 cases of mob justice and 2 cases of murder. By monitoring these cases, APEDH is calling on the relevant authorities to become more involved in guaranteeing security, justice and respect for human rights, and to render justice to the victims.
To welcome, listen to and guide Kumu women and girls who are victims of sexual abuse and gender-based violence, APEDH has been providing supplies, equipment and furniture to the listening point set up in the Buvira camp. One of the main priorities in this process is to guarantee the confidentiality of the data provided by Kumu Indigenous women and girls.
Update - September 2024
Official Handover of Temporary Shelters to Internally Displaced Persons in Buvira Makao 2
For decades, the North Kivu region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been at the epicenter of a humanitarian crisis fueled by armed conflicts. These conflicts have profoundly affected millions, with Indigenous populations and vulnerable groups—such as women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities—bearing the brunt of the violence. The Nyiragongo territory, despite its strategic importance, has been severely impacted by clashes between loyalist armed forces and the M23 rebel group, exacerbating already precarious living conditions for local communities.
In response to these challenges, APEDH has taken significant steps to provide relief and support to those most affected by the ongoing conflict. On August 23, 2024, APEDH hosted a heartfelt ceremony to officially hand over 30 temporary shelters to internally displaced persons (IDPs) residing at the Buvira Makao 2 site. This event, long-awaited by the Indigenous Kumu community, was held on-site and attended by local representatives and heads of beneficiary households.
Each of the 30 temporary shelters is designed to accommodate at least seven people and built to ensure security, privacy, hygiene, and a decent living space. These shelters offer not just a roof but also a restored sense of dignity for people who have lost everything due to armed conflict. The beneficiaries of these shelters include the elderly and people with severe disabilities.
Even if this is an extraordinary achievement, we must be reminded that currently, over 2,339 households are homeless in the Buvira groupement, Nyiragongo territory, with 552 families displaced at the Buvira Makao II site alone.
"After my accident, my husband left me alone with my 10 children to marry another woman. Since then, he only looked after us occasionally before this war. With no income-generating activity, he abandoned us and disappeared. Thanks to this help, I can get in and out of my house without difficulty. Previously, I lived in a dilapidated shelter about 1.50 meters high, and with my disability, it was difficult for me to bend over. My children and I are grateful to APEDH for their constant support for people forgotten by society. Thanks to this shelter, we can now live in better conditions. Thank you so much, and please continue to perform such acts of solidarity."
Poroniya Muhawe, a disabled woman with 10 children, who shared her story at the ceremony.
This testimony underscores the profound impact that even modest interventions can have on the lives of those affected by conflict. Each shelter represents a step towards stability and a brighter future for displaced families.
Beyond Shelter: Comprehensive Support for Vulnerable Communities
The handover of temporary shelters is part of a broader initiative supported to address the multifaceted needs of vulnerable communities in North Kivu. APEDH is actively involved in several other critical activities, including:
1. Monitoring and Support for Listening Points and Village Savings and Credit Associations (AVECs)
One of APEDH's first actions was to conduct regular field visits to monitor the operation of Listening Points and Village Savings and Credit Associations (AVECs). These structures play a crucial role in providing psychosocial support to survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and promoting the economic empowerment of women.
During follow-up visits, APEDH observed that the Listening Points were operational but required ongoing improvements in resource management and psychosocial support services. Similarly, AVECs were advised on financial management and governance, although the low savings rate among members—predominantly vulnerable women with limited financial resources—remains a significant challenge.
These monitoring activities are vital to ensure that interventions effectively meet the needs identified in the field. They also provide valuable data to refine and improve strategies in alignment with local realities.
2. Distribution of Dignity Kits to GBV Survivors
In collaboration with community relays, APEDH distributed dignity kits to survivors of sexual violence. These kits included essential items such as sanitary pads, soap, toothbrushes, and underwear.
A total of 32 dignity kits were distributed during this period, providing immediate relief and a sense of dignity to women and girls who have endured violence and find themselves in desperate circumstances.
In parallel, APEDH documented 89 cases of violence across North Kivu, including in Nyiragongo, Masisi, Beni, and Goma. This rigorous documentation is crucial to understanding the scale of GBV in the region and mobilizing additional resources for targeted interventions.
3. Raising Awareness of Sexual and Reproductive Health
APEDH has intensified its efforts to raise awareness of sexual and reproductive health, particularly among Kumu Indigenous women and girls. These awareness campaigns aim to educate communities about the risks of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the 16 forms of sexual violence, promoting a culture of respect for human rights and preventing abuses.
In a region where access to education and healthcare is often limited, and where cultural norms can heighten the vulnerability of women and girls, these initiatives are essential. By working closely with community relays, APEDH strives to create an environment where women are not only protected but also empowered to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
APEDH's ongoing project is commited to supporting those most in need in this region of the DRC. Through the provision of shelters, the distribution of dignity kits, and ongoing support for vulnerable communities, these efforts aim to build a future of hope and resilience.
Azimuth World Foundation remains dedicated to standing with APEDH and the communities of North Kivu, ensuring that the voices of the most vulnerable are heard and that their needs are met with compassion and action.
Together, we strive to transform lives and foster a future where every person can live with dignity and hope.
Update - October 2024
At the end of September, APEDH distributed dignity kits to 57 indigenous Kumu women and girls. This initiative follows a series of awareness-raising campaigns on the 16 forms of sexual violence, aimed at empowering these women.
The kits distributed contained essential products for personal hygiene, including a plastic bucket, loincloths, underwear, sanitary towels, toothpaste, shower soap, as well as whistles for danger alerts. These items aim to combat sexual infections and improve the quality of life of women living in precarious conditions, often in camps for displaced persons.
Kumu women and girls, who often lack access to basic hygiene products, face challenges linked to their marginalization. This project aims not only to fill these gaps, but also to promote their dignity, health and empowerment. The impact of this distribution is particularly felt by beneficiaries such as Marcus, a young girl with a disability, who expressed her gratitude: "Thanks to this kit, I now feel able to live like any other woman, without fear of stigmatization or mockery".
By distributing these kits, APEDH aims not only to meet immediate needs, but also to reinforce the fight against sexually transmitted infections and reduce sexual violence within Kumu communities. This inclusive distribution, regardless of age, marital status or HIV status, marks an important step towards gender equality and social inclusion. APEDH hopes to mobilize even more women in the fight against STDs and STIs, strengthening their resilience in a region severely tested by conflict.