Bunia, 11 June 2013 – Within the framework of the implementation of the Resolution 2098 of the United Nations Security Council extending the mandate of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) until 31st March 2014 as well as the Resolution 1325 on women as actors of peace and security, MONUSCO's Gender Office jointly organized with local authorities in Mahagi territory, a workshop to help reinforce the capacities of women's associations, community leaders and religious communities in this territory.

Located about 180 km north-east of Bunia in the district of Ituri, the territory of Mahagi is currently facing security and land-related difficulties affecting mostly women, which led to the holding of the workshop aimed at reinforcing and educating civil society organizations to successfully fight all these scourges.

The one-day workshop brought together about forty participants from women's organizations, religious communities and other civil society groupings to raise their awareness of the new MONUSCO mandate, the legal and social protection mechanisms for women and children, and above all to build their capacity to enable them to participate to the protection and peaceful resolution of conflicts.

Amadou Maïga/MONUSCO