Justice Empowerment and Dignity of Women and Girls in the DRC

The project aims to prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) - such as sexual harassment intimidation early marriage and rape - as well as to unhealthy practices. It aims to improve the holistic management of survivors through multisectoral integrated service centres (MISC). The MISCs would make medical psychosocial legal and socioeconomic reintegration or school re-entry services available to girls and young women who are survivors of SGBV. Not only does the project contribute to SGBV prevention and to promote the rights of girls and women through a national campaign for change in social behaviours but it also promotes a communication and engagement strategy for men and boys to change their behaviours and perceptions on sexual and gender-based violence. Project activities include: (1) community outreach and youth engagement; (2) strengthening community-based protection networks; (3) establishing the MISCs; (4) strengthening the capacity of lawyers and legal defenders; (5) developing initiatives that encourage female entrepreneurship and the socioeconomic reintegration of survivors or re-entry of underage victims into the school system; and (6) strengthening national coordination in the fight against SGBV.

Expected results for the project include: (1) decreased SGBV through social mobilization and the transformation of sociocultural attitudes and norms that are harmful to women and girls; (2) further strengthening of the empowerment and resilience of SGBV survivors through integrated multisectoral efficient and coordinated assistance and the increased efficiency of protection strategies; and (3) increased efficiency of protection prevention and response strategies for SGBV through a unified national mechanism that is coordinated at the political and operational levels.