Butembo – 9 December 2016: In partnership with the city of Butembo, MONUSCO funded the construction of a fence wall, a separate ward for women, an extension of men’s ward as well as refurbished the roof and ceilings of the central prison of Kakwangura in Butembo. The rehabilitation work was jointly inaugurated by judiciary officials and MONUSCO.

The Director of the central prison of Kakwangura in  Butembo thanked MONUSCO and the urban officials for the quick impact project for “it would contribute to prevent gender-based violence and attempts for escape whose number has markedly diminished since the construction of the fence wall,” she said.

On the “eve of the international human rights Day, the inauguration arouse people’s attention on the vulnerability of the persons in detention and the importance of improving the conditions of detention in the DRC’s prisons,” highlighted the representative of the Director of MONUSCO Beni-Butembo-Lubero office.

Earlier, women inmates were prey to gender-based violence including sexual violence, with consequences such as psychological and physical trauma as well as exposure to the risk of unexpected pregnancies and sexually communicable diseases. It was highly risky for them to go to the rest room.

This MONUSCO-funded project worth US$ 97 600 would help to protect women inmates against such violence and additional traumas. Men’s ward has been extended due to overpopulation. We hope improving conditions of detention will facilitate inmate’s social reintegration when leaving the prison.

Before cutting the ribbon, the deputy Mayor of the city of Butembo concluded his speech by indicating that the rehabilitation work would contribute to the stabilization and restoration of the State in the city of Butembo, which will also benefit the local population as escapes would be reduced.

Anne Herrmann