Challenge
Gender-based violence is a pervasive and deeply rooted issue that is experienced on a global scale. This form of violence includes a broad range of harmful actions and behaviors, such as domestic violence, sexual violence, and early and forced marriages. These are not isolated incidents but rather systemic issues that are deeply ingrained in societies around the world. In particular, the continent of Africa has been disproportionately affected by these issues. Countries such as Ethiopia, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are among the most heavily impacted. These nations are home to populations that are in unstable situations due to a variety of factors, including ongoing conflicts and natural disasters. The number of people affected by these circumstances varies from country to country, with estimates ranging from 20 to 26 million individuals.
In 2022, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, in collaboration with various humanitarian non-governmental organizations (NGOs), has made some alarming estimates. They have reported that over 7 million people in the Democratic Republic of Congo alone were at risk of becoming victims of gender-based violence. This staggering number is part of a larger figure – the 27 million people in the country who are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance. This paints a grim picture of the scale of the problem and the urgent need for intervention and support.
Our response
At present, the Africa2World Foundation is engaged in a significant collaboration with the Nicole Ilunga Foundation in DR Congo. Together, they are working on an impactful program titled “The Support Program for the Prevention of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Conflict Zones in the Democratic Republic of Congo.” The primary aim of this program is to combat the deeply rooted issues of sexual and gender-based violence, particularly in the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu. In order to accomplish this noble objective, the foundation actively encourages the involvement of artists, primarily musicians and actors, as well as the wider communities. Together, we are employing various strategies such as providing training, launching awareness campaigns, and promoting community practice. These strategies are designed to engage the community and to create a broader understanding of the issues at hand. In addition to this, the Africa2World Foundation is also partnering with the NGO known as the “Congolese Initiative for the Empowerment of Women”. This partnership is specifically aimed at addressing the issue of gender-based violence in schools located in the Haut-Katanga province. This initiative is a testament to the foundation’s commitment to creating a safer and more equitable society for all.
Our impact
The Africa2World Foundation has extended its technical prowess to the Nicole Ilunga Foundation, aiding in the formulation of a comprehensive strategy centered on addressing sexual and gender-based violence. This innovative approach involves mobilizing artists and content creators and equipping them with the requisite skills through a series of planned training workshops, enabling them to leverage their talents in the battle against sexual violence. An exhibition by the name ‘Nicole Ilunga Foundation Exhibition’ is scheduled to be held in Kinshasa, DR Congo, in December 2024. This event aims to elevate the awareness of gender-based violence, uniting artists and creatives in the process. We encourage visiting the Nicole Ilunga Foundation’s website for further information and regular updates on this initiative. Furthermore, Africa2World has supported the Congolese Initiative for Women’s Empowerment by organizing instructive workshops. These sessions, attended by more than 70 primary and secondary school students in Lubumbashi, center around content creation and the judicious use of social networks as instrumental tools in the fight against gender-based violence. Additionally, the workshops involve the development of income-generating activities. Our ambitious objective is to provide training to as many as 500 girls by the year 2027. We’ve also partnered with this local organization to implement mechanisms that prevent gender-based violence against students in regional schools.