DR Congo urged to crack down on perpetrators of gender-based sexual violence
Kinshasa, DR Congo (PANA) - The coordinator of the NGO "Femmes debout", Jacquie Mboyo, on Wednesday called on the government of DR Congo to take coercive measures against perpetrators of gender-based sexual violence in order to discourage these despicable acts tarnishing the image of women.
Ms. Mboyo was speaking at a press briefing on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, celebrated annually on 25 November.
Urging women to break the silence at any time they are victims of rape at home or at work or wherever they are, Ms. Jacquie Mboyo called on governments and civil society associations to become fully involved in order to put an end to these "shameful" practices.
She suggested the organisation of awareness campaigns, the establishment of mechanisms for prevention and management of cases of gender-based sexual violence, the training of focal points, legal support and the economic reintegration of survivors of violence.
She pledged to support the actions of UN Women, the UN agency that promotes gender equality and the empowerment of women worldwide, saying that it had documented numerous cases of violence against women during the period of confinement related to Covid-19, especially those occurring in the home, which had increased due to permanent proximity.
For Ms. Mboyo, violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in the world today. It also remains one of the most under-reported because of the impunity, silence, stigma and shame surrounding it.
Created in 1996, the association "Femme Debout" provides concrete help to the most vulnerable populations. It fights against all forms of discrimination and their effects.
It also aims to develop cultural diversity, to fight for equal rights in defence of women's rights, to promote equal opportunities by favouring access to information and by fighting against social barriers.
-0- PANA KON/JSG/BBA/AR 26Nov2020
