Democratic Republic of the Congo
ADRA DRC
Serving the local population since 2004
ADRA works in the Democratic Republic of Congo to end gender-based violence and provide opportunities for vulnerable women. Studies have shown that two of every five women in the Eastern DRC have been raped. Our mission is to reduce this statistic while fostering education and development through community engagement.
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Valerie’s Story
Democratic Republic of Congo
Jeanne’s Story
Democratic Republic of Congo
Valerie’s Story
Democratic Republic of Congo
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Valerie’s Story
Valerie* is 16, the mother of a 4-month-old baby, and a victim of rape. When she was just 14 years old, soldiers patrolling the road into town took her by force and sexually assaulted her. Afraid of the stigma attached to rape, she kept it a secret.
In Valerie’s hometown of Bweremana in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), gender-based violence is often regarded as a nuisance instead of a serious and life-altering crime. When Valerie finally returned home, she was too ashamed to tell anyone what had happened, but it soon became obvious that she was pregnant.
People in her town began to mock her, jeering, “Where is the father?” The teasing became so bad that she refused to leave the house.
It is because of girls like Valerie that ADRA operates Ongea, a project named for the literal meaning of the Swahili word ongea: “speak up.” Ongea encourages women to speak up against rape and sexual assault and against the people who perpetrate and condone it. In addition to supporting victims of gender-based violence, Ongea strives to combat the prevailing cultural attitude that enables it.
By creating listening committees comprised of community members, and counseling groups of influential local leaders, ADRA has developed a system to value women and devalue crimes against them. Ongea also spreads awareness through radio broadcasts and cultural activities.
This project has galvanized the women of Bweremana, many of whom feel empowered for the first time in their lives. “I want to combat gender-based violence,” said local listening group member Vomili Ngengeisi. “I want to help girls like Valerie.”
Though still suffering from the trauma of her experience, Valerie has hope that Ongea will continue to speak up against gender-based violence in her community. Of her own future, she is modest: “I dream about finding a husband who will love me.”
*Name has been changed to protect her identity.
Jeanne’s Story
Democratic Republic of Congo
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Jeanne’s Story
Jeanne is a 33-year-old farmer and mother to six children. She lives in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), but she is like every mother in the world, and nothing is more important to her than keeping her beautiful children healthy.
When ADRA met with Jeanne, she was pregnant with her sixth child. Each of her first five children had to be hospitalized for malnutrition or illness, some multiple times.
ADRA works with new mothers to teach them the importance of nutrition, breast-feeding, vaccinations, and other crucial health priorities.
The health history of her first five children made Jeanne a perfect match for an ADRA program focusing on new mother and baby health.
ADRA introduced Jeanne to a “leader mother,” a local mother who has been trained to help others. This leader mother encouraged her to seek regular prenatal care. While this is standard procedure in more developed countries, regular pregnancy visits aren’t as common in DRC where Jeanne lives, and she never had care for her first five pregnancies.
Jeanne learned about the importance of breast-feeding immediately and exclusively, which is especially crucial for new babies in regions where malnutrition is a common concern. Once her sixth baby was born, ADRA began supplying Jeanne with rations of fortified porridge so that she remained nourished enough to supply her baby with enough milk to thrive.
“This one is my sixth birth, and my son Armand does not fall sick often. For me, it is a miracle, because I have never experienced that since becoming a mother,” says Jeanne.
Her leader mother also taught Jeanne about simple practices for good health, such as washing hands regularly, making sure her children are vaccinated, and providing nutrition for young ones.
After experiencing so much trauma in the health of her first five children, Jeanne finds it very exciting to have a healthy baby. “With Armand, things are very different; we are at the eighth month without hospitalization,” Jeanne shares. “I am convinced that it is through the application of these teachings brought to me by the leader mother and consumption of porridge that I and my baby are doing well.”
Democratic Republic of the Congo Office
Job Nguerebaye Ngaroita, Country Director
+00243819519711
Additional Information
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Capacity Statement Overview
Gender-based violence is devastating in the Eastern DRC. Because of the untold number of women suffering as victims of sexual violence, and the countless more living under its threat, DRC has tragically been labeled the “rape capital of the world.” To combat this violence, ADRA DRC has implemented Ongea, Swahili for “speak up.” The program seeks to eliminate gender inequality by advocating for change among listening committees, counseling groups, and influential community members. Our advocacy consists of radio broadcasts and cultural activities to educate the male population on the long-lasting and detrimental effects of sexual violence against women. In a region where many men blame women for “attracting” sexual violence, much work remains to be done. -
Country Overview
The second largest country in Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the most violent and unstable nations in the world. Since 1998, an estimated 5.4 million people have been killed, either from the violence of war or the diseases common among overcrowded and unsanitary displacement camps. In North Kivu alone, there are nearly 1 million who were forced from their homes, contributing to the ever-growing spread of disease and violence.