In the Democratic Republic of Congo, several civil society actors, such as Dr Mukwege, Nobel Peace Prize winner 2018, are acting to change things regarding sexual violence and the care of victims in the country. Dr Tony Elonge, our partner in the DRC, is also active in the central province of Sankuru. Since the construction of the maternal health centre at Otema Hospital, initiatives have been developed. Let us take a look at one of them on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
For seven years, a special section of 14 officers to help victims of violence and sexual violence was created within the Lodja police. Officer Bernadette Beloko is in charge of this section. Otema Hospital collaborates with her and with a lawyer, Maître Lambert Makondjo, to take care of women and children who are victims of sexual violence. Indeed, a “legal clinic” was created a little over a year ago within Otema. Thus the hospital offers, uniquely in Sankuru, support for victims based on 4 pillars: physical health care, psychological support, legal defence and professional reintegration. Currently in the Democratic Republic of Congo for a visit to our partner, Michael Païta, head of La Gerbe’s International Solidarity department, was able to meet the other people in charge of this support: Officer Beloko and Maître Lambert. It was an opportunity to talk about this collaboration and to review the care of victims in the region. Unfortunately, the lack of means remains a hindrance for everyone: the police “don’t even have a bicycle to go to the scene of the attacks”. But since the creation of the legal clinic, the number of reported victims has increased. These women and children dare to speak out, which shows that trust is building. Victims know that they will be listened to and cared for, and they are less afraid. Perpetrators, meanwhile, are beginning to understand that certain acts are not acceptable and will have consequences. “Over the course of our stay alone, several victims were taken in,” says Michael. “In addition to the medical care Otema offers, the legal clinic helps to advocate for a change in attitudes and behaviour towards women.”
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