Beni, 16 October 2011 – The Public Information Division of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) organized a week-long series of activities to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and sexual violence, which have affected mostly women in this region. The activities, which were part of the world's 16 Days of activism against gender violence campaign, saw the supportive participation of the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO) and the international NGO Search for Common Ground.

The activities included the screening of films on sexual violence and HIV/AIDS for members of the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC), the National Police (PNC), as well as their dependents; a soccer match disputed by two activist groups was also organized.

On the margins of these activities, UNJHRO also held separate meetings with magistrates, human rights activists, several political and administrative authorities, students, and members of the civil society, to engage them in a debate on the issue of repression by law for acts of sexual violence.

To conclude the activities, the Public Information Office organized a quiz to test the depth of knowledge of the participants on HIV/AIDS. The winners received several gadgets with the UN logo.

Moussa Demba Diallo/ MONUSCO