Voices of Hope from Displaced Women in Eastern DRC

In June 2023, the collaboration of Repro Justice Congo and Women Power DRC embarked on a transformative mission to unveil the unheard stories of displaced women and girls residing in the Bulengo and Kanyarucinya Camps in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This groundbreaking initiative was designed not only to create a sanctuary for these women to break the silence, but also to shed light on their daily struggles and needs. Venturing into the heart of adversity, the brave team faced the challenge of coaxing out stories from women and girls who had endured the horrors of violence, encountering common threads of massive rape threats, sexual exploitation, gender-based violence, unsafe abortions, giving birth without medical assistance and limited access to HIV services, and the pervasive issue of menstrual hygiene poverty. Undaunted by the enormity of these tales, the teams conducted over a hundred interviews, weaving the resilience and hope of these survivors into a powerful narrative encapsulated in the booklet titled, "Tales of Resilience and Hope for Displaced Women Who Survived Sexual Violence in East of DRC. These narratives poignantly highlighted the profound struggles these women faced in accessing vital sexual and reproductive health information and services, intertwined with their fundamental rights. Following the poignant collection of stories, a strategic advocacy meeting unfolded, drawing local and provincial authorities into the conversation. In this transformative session, findings and recommendations were presented, allowing the displaced women and girls themselves to take the stage. Their voices reverberated, calling upon the government to implement measures aimed at improving their situation, particularly in the realm of sexual and reproductive health and rights. During the meeting, participants passionately expressed their concerns, urging the government to take immediate actions to ensure the safety of women and girls in displaced camps. This plea aimed to mitigate the rampant sexual violence and exploitation that plagued their lives while advocating for access to crucial sexual and reproductive health information and services.A pressing issue emerged during the discussions — the limited access to safe abortion. Stigma and financial barriers were revealed as the driving forces behind women and girls resorting to unsafe abortion practices, endangering their lives. The need for urgent intervention to dismantle these barriers became a rallying cry, urging the government to prioritize the well-being and rights of these resilient survivors. In the wake of this advocacy meeting, a new chapter unfolds in the narrative of displaced women in the East of DRC. The rallying cry of "Resilience Rising" echoes through the camps, as these women and girls stand united, hopeful, and empowered, knowing that their voices have become a force for change.