Bunia, 25 May 2011 – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) granted the Democratic Republic of Congo 2,929,735 dollars to bolster the country's resolve to combat sexual violence.

The funds are to support the implementation of the Government's Stabilization and Reconstruction programme (STAREC), which has among its top priorities gender-based violence, especially sexual violence against women.

More specifically, this financial assistance is intended to reinforce the capacity of the Congolese National Police (PNC) through training in aspects concerning gender and sexual violence. Parts of the funds will also serve to build 22 police stations across the five territories of the Ituri district in Province Orientale.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the implementing partner for the project, while the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the DR Congo (MONUSCO) is responsible for the training component of the project.

Based on this partnership, MONUSCO Police and IOM held a training session in Bunia, capital of Ituri, from 3 to 21 May. The training which bordered on the skills and knowledge to investigate on cases of gender and sexual violence was attended by 150 judicial police officers and other agents.

Another five-week long training was subsequently initiated on 23 May for 500 other police officers who are being sensitized on issues of sexual violence.

Maiga/ MONUSCO