Photo: Maude Fournier

Kisangani, 8 September 2011 – The question on how to reinvigorate the fight against sexual violence in Province Orientale was at the center of discussions at a meeting in Kisangani, the provincial capital, on 6 September 2011. The discussions were led by a team from the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) and its partners.

The meeting brought together some 30 participants, including members of the Kisangani Bar Association, representatives of human rights organizations, civil servants, and UN agencies. The primary objective of this gathering was to identify the needs of the partners involved in the fight against sexual violence, and to propose solutions to their specific problems in an attempt to inject renewed energy, and step up the pressure against potential and confirmed perpetrators of such acts.

Some of the problems identified include the lack of medical and judiciary support, social and psychological counseling to the victims, and the difficulties associated with their social reinsertion. These became pronounced since the United Nations Population Funds (UNFPA) ceased its activities in the Province.

While referring to the challenges in the area of medical provision to victims, Doctor Gisele Lowa, Coordinator of the provincial synergy for the fight against sexual violence, said: "The medical sector suffers from the lack of medicine to treat the victims. Once identified, the victims are oftentimes abandoned to their plight."

The problems and needs identified during this meeting will serve as a basis for MONUSCO to step up its support to the victims of sexual violence.

By Anselme Masua/ Radio Okapi/ MONUSCO