Progressreport_drc Prevent Sexual Violence

Progress Report

November 2009

Democratic Republic of Congo Prevention of sexual violence An overview of progress made on a select number of actions recommended by the InterAction NGO community in the 2008 Foreign Assistance Briefing Book on Critical Problems, Recommendations, and Actions for the Obama Administration and the 111th Congress.

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Ongoing conflict between the Congolese government led by President Joseph Kabila and multiple rebel and militia groups has created widespread regional instability and a devastating humanitarian crisis in which over 1 million people have been internally displaced, 45,000 die monthly from conflict and disease, and sexual violence is at unprecedented levels.

Action Recommended November 2008 Support a comprehensive plan to address and prevent sexual violence with support to survivors, their families and communities; accountability for perpetrators; and protection by peacekeepers and national security forces.

Overall Progress as of November 2009 Comments and Evidence: As part of her seven-nation trip to Africa in August, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The secretary announced that the U.S. would commit $17 million in new funding to prevent and respond to gender and sexual violence in the DRC. The funding would target organizations across Eastern DRC that are providing training for health workers and counseling, economic assistance and legal support for women. According to the secretary, $3 million would be dedicated to recruiting police officers and training them on their responsibility to protect women and girls and their duty to investigate sexual violence. Such funding is a welcome step in the right direction and signals the importance the U.S. places on combating the epidemic of sexual violence in the DRC.