Regional Focus: Democratic Republic of Congo

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Regional Focus: Democratic Republic of Congo

Arguably the worst region in the world for women, the DRC is also one of the most silenced due to the lack of communications infrastructure. World Pulse is committed to collecting and broadcasting the stories of Congolese women. Hear from these courageous women and support their visions for change!

Mettre fin à la violence contre les femmes

World Pulse croit que vos histoires, recommandations et leadership collectif émergeant mettront fin à la violence liée au genre. Nous acheminons vos voix à des médias internationales, des associations et des décideurs afin d’assurer que vos perspectives sont écoutées par ceux qui tiennent le pouvoir. Traduire site web à partir de l'anglais au français »

Magazine Highlights

Listening to the Voices of Congo’s Women

by Corine Milano

These women are sharing their stories and calling on the international community to take action. Meet six of these courageous survivors who each bring strong recommendations for moving DRC toward peace. Read More »

Signaling Change in DRC: Survey Shows Women Ready to Lead

by Kim Crane

We polled 1,000 women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo via text message to learn about the challenges and opportunities for women’s leadership. Here’s what they had to say. Read More »

“We must never violate mothers because we cannot live in peace without mom.”

Anonymous survey participant

The Day Women of the Congo Seized Control of the Internet

by Jensine

The day the rebels seized the large town of Goma, threatening to ignite more bloodshed and misery in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, I couldn’t stop pacing and shaking. Read More »

"The world must wake up and listen to these women who have broken through suffocating radio silence to have discovered not only their voices, but the means of transmission.”

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Community Submissions

DRC: If You Educate a Woman You Educate a Whole Village

by RUHEBUZA VUMILI... | September 24, 2012 | 5 comments | English translation available

From a very young age women are dismissed. While the birth of a daughter is announced with one shout, the birth of a son is followed by two shouts. Boys learn through play to assume noble causes, but girls are groomed for domestic roles and maternal causes.

One Billion Rising Campaign

by Ntakebuka Wilhelmine | February 13, 2013 | 0 comments

Members of Mama Shujaa, Members of the WorldPulse community, on this occasion of the One Billion Rising Campaign, we say, "Never again!" and "Stop the violence that is humiliating to women!"

My First Meeting with the (Grassroots) Leadership of Africa

by Neema | February 8, 2013 | 1 comment

I am so very thankful for World Pulse’s hard work in arranging for Jeannette Ruhebuza and I to be included in the Nobel Women’s Initiative sponsored experience, where we participated in the GIMAC conference (Gender Is My Agenda Conference), the Women in Media workshop, the Stopping Sexual Violence in Conflict in Africa conference, and the Opening of the 20th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Rising Insecurity in Bukavu

by Brigitte Mawazo... | February 4, 2013 | 1 comment

Women in Bukavu are more and more becoming the target of bandits.

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Campaign Updates

Your Calls for Congo Peace Reached The White House

February 5, 2013

As Neema Namadamu toured the US this past fall, heralding a women-led peace movement in the Democratic Republic of Congo, she had a goal in sight: for her message to reach the White House.

Thanks to your signatures on her Change.org petition, Neema’s dream has become a reality. Read More »

Women's Voices Unite for Change in Congo

January 25, 2013

The Democratic Republic of Congo was recently dubbed 'a never-ending nightmare' by the New York Times, but over 200 Congolese grassroots women leaders—self-identified as the Maman Shujaa, or 'Hero Women'—have emerged from the shadows to organize a movement denouncing violence and demanding peace. They have utilized our platform to request a voice in the decisions that affect their lives, and the world is taking notice.

As the 20th African Union Summit kicks off this week, with Hero Women Neema Namadamu and Jeanette Ruhebuza taking their seats at the summit table, we invite you to experience their journey, grasp their vision, and meet the new faces of Congo. Read More »

URGENT ACTION: Stand Up for Our Sisters in the Congo

November 30, 2012

“We have had enough. We call upon our global sisterhood to take action. We will not be quiet until REAL Peace is upon us.”

On November 20th M23 rebels seized Goma, a major city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, reigniting a war that has ravaged the region for 16 years.

World Pulse Correspondent Neema Namadamu and our community of Congolese women who call themselves the Mama Shujaa ('Hero Women' in Swahili) are calling on you and women leaders at the White House—Hillary Clinton, Susan Rice, Valerie Jarrett, and Michelle Obama—to take immediate action in solidarity with the women of the Congo. Read her call, then sign the petition to show your support. Read More »

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Campaign Resources

Room to Read - Books and More	Need: Advice, Mentorship in Starting a Small Business
Need: Funding for Media Training Center Program in Bukavu, DRC	Ensuring Safety for Women & Girls—A Practitioner's Manual

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Your Voices Delivered

Maman Shujaa representatives Neema Namadamu and Jeanette Ruhebuza went to Addis Ababa to take their seats at the 20th African Union Summit. They delivered a statement to world leaders, along with over 100 testimonies from women on the ground.

Download the PDF statement »

Mobile Survey Results

World Pulse deployed a 10-question mobile survey across Eastern DRC on gender-based violence and women’s leadership. See results »

Multimedia

World Pulse partner Alliance for the Earth traveled to DRC to connect directly with the Maman Shujaa. In this video, you can witness first hand women's rising leadership and their compelling visions for change.

This video series was produced for our campaign by Congolese women journalists of UhakiNews. The videos spotlight local grassroots women leaders working to combat gender-based violence in the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo.