From 19 to 27 June 2026, MONUSCO's Gender Section organized an Ebola awareness campaign in Goma, North Kivu, through four civil society organizations engaged in community mobilization: Women Power DRC, Jeunes U-Report, Voice of Kivu Woman, and the Women's Community Action Program for Integrated Development.
Ahead of the field awareness and information activities, the Gender Section organized a capacity-building workshop bringing together around forty participants, both in person and online, from the four partner organizations.
Participants received training on several key topics, including Ebola virus disease prevention, combating misinformation, integrating gender into health interventions, and community communication techniques.
Accurate information to fight the outbreak
Following the training, each partner organization carried out targeted activities within its area of expertise to disseminate Ebola prevention messages among local communities.
Women Power DRC organized awareness sessions for bloggers and religious leaders on combating Ebola-related misinformation circulating on digital platforms.
"This training has helped me better understand Ebola virus disease. Many people are still exposed to rumors and false information about Ebola. As a blogger, I have a responsibility to share reliable information to raise public awareness and help fight misinformation about this disease," said Albert Isse Sivamwanza, a blogger trained by Women Power DRC.
Meanwhile, Jeunes U-Report and Voice of Kivu Woman conducted awareness campaigns in several schools, including those in Goma and Sake, as well as in the Alanine, Kituku, and Birere markets.
The teams also reached residents of the Mugunga neighborhood and Ngangi III village in Nyiragongo Territory and hosted a radio awareness program on Life Channel to reach an even broader audience. They engaged traders, students, community leaders, and local residents in discussions on Ebola transmission, proper hygiene practices, and the importance of promptly reporting suspected cases.
Jean-Paul Chikuru, a trader at Birere Market, welcomed the community-based approach:
"Before this session, I believed Ebola could only be transmitted in hospitals. Today, I understand that everyone must follow hygiene measures and quickly report suspected cases to protect their families and customers."
For its part, the Women's Community Action Program for Integrated Development organized awareness sessions in Kibati, Nyiragongo Territory, specifically targeting women in order to strengthen their role in spreading prevention messages within their communities.
"The most effective weapon"
Dr. Hervé Heshima, a specialist in family medicine and primary health care at Heal Africa, led a session on Ebola diagnosis and prevention.
"Prevention remains the most effective weapon against Ebola. Communities must be properly informed about the modes of transmission, hygiene measures, and the importance of promptly reporting any suspected case," he emphasized.
MONUSCO continues to support Ebola prevention efforts while promoting women's leadership in responding to public health crises.
"The fight against Ebola cannot be effective without the active involvement of communities, especially women and young people, who play a vital role in raising awareness. By strengthening the capacities of our partner organizations, we are empowering them to share reliable information, combat misinformation, build public trust, and promote good prevention practices. Through this initiative, MONUSCO is contributing to a more inclusive and effective response while supporting the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda," said Nathalie Koné of MONUSCO's Gender Section.
Aline Kataliko
