Thirty-four members of civil society organizations from North Kivu were trained on April 16 and 17 in Goma on the collection, documentation, verification, analysis, and secure transmission of information related to grave violations of children’s rights, in accordance with the standards and protocols of the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism (MRM).
This activity was organized by MONUSCO’s Child Protection Section, in partnership with UNICEF and the Bureau for Volunteering in the Service of Children and Health (BVES).
Participants came from the territories of Nyiragongo, Rutshuru, Masisi, as well as the city of Goma. North Kivu remains an unstable area where armed groups are still active and responsible for serious violations of children’s rights.
Mathieu Ndongo Koni, head of the Child Protection Section at MONUSCO, emphasized the importance of the work carried out by these local actors in documenting grave violations of children’s rights. He particularly highlighted the importance of confidentiality and objectivity in the data collected.
“In a complex security context where access to affected areas remains limited, strengthening the capacities of MRM focal points is essential to ensure the quality and credibility of reporting on grave violations committed against children. To obtain this information, we rely on civil society associations and NGOs, which are field partners of the United Nations. It is therefore crucial to train monitors in the principles of confidentiality, impartiality, and objectivity in order to guarantee reliable and verified data while respecting the ‘Do No Harm’ principle,” said Mathieu Ndongo Koni.
A continued commitment to child protection
According to Mathieu Ndongo, reports produced based on data collected by field actors are essential for advocacy and decision-making in favor of children’s rights.
“The information collected is centralized in the United Nations MRM database and helps produce situation reports that can be submitted to the Security Council. It helps document child protection in specific areas and guide humanitarian responses, particularly in terms of reintegration and rehabilitation. It also supports advocacy efforts by MONUSCO leadership with national and provincial authorities as well as international partners,” he explained.
During the training, the methodology used was based on each participant’s field experience.
“This workshop allowed us to better understand MRM procedures. We are now better equipped to document grave violations while respecting protection and confidentiality standards,” said Yves Bakendo from the organization UPEDECO.
Judith Iragi, another participant, also shared her experience and what she gained from the training.
“We learned a great deal during these two days of training. What particularly stood out to me was the strengthening of my skills in conducting monitoring and reporting activities related to MRM cases, especially the six grave violations, while ensuring that I do not expose myself or the victims who confide in us. This training provides us with practical tools to improve the collection and transmission of information,” she said.
According to the United Nations Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism (MRM), the six grave violations of children’s rights include the recruitment and use of children by armed forces or groups, the killing and maiming of children, rape and other forms of serious sexual violence, the abduction of children, the denial of humanitarian access, and attacks on schools and hospitals. These violations constitute serious breaches of children’s fundamental rights in situations of armed conflict and are closely monitored by the United Nations with a view to preventing and eliminating them.
Through its Child Protection Section, MONUSCO is part of this effort. It carries out its mandate of prevention, monitoring, documentation, and advocacy on grave violations committed against children, while supporting national and community actors in strengthening local protection and prevention mechanisms.
Aline Kataliko
