Democratic Republic of Congo

Still today, entire populations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continue to be exposed to widespread human rights violations. Violence and insecurity are frequent occurrences. The Dominican Family and their partners in the DRC are especially worried about the situation of vulnerable populations, including women and children. Four main issues have been identified by the Dominican Family as of primary concern in recent years and to which they try to give visibility: the difficult access to education and to basic health services, the widespread domestic violence, the tensions between the pastoral tribe Mbororo and local populations, and the inhuman conditions of work of children and women in artisanal mines.

Support their efforts in promoting human dignity in the DRC!

Project title: Empowering local populations to advocate for human rights at the local, national and international levels

Location: Haut Uélé Province and Kinshasa, DRC

Main objective: To build the capacities of the Dominican and civil society network in the DRC in advocating efficiently at different levels on issues related to education/health, insecurity and natural resources.

Duration: 10 months

Direct beneficiaries: Members of the Dominican and civil society network in the DRC (the network is made up of members of the Dominican Family – friars, sisters, lay people – as well as members of civil society organisations). 


Indirect beneficiaries: Local populations in the Province of Haut Uélé and in Kinshasa who will benefit in the long term from legislative and policy changes through advocacy at different levels.

Main activities:

1. Training on techniques for collecting and analysing data on human rights violations in the fields of health, education, domestic violence, insecurity and mining;
2. Field visits to collect updated information;
3. Advocacy activities at the United Nations (including statements to the Human Rights Council);
4. Training of a DRC partner in Geneva on the United Nations human rights mechanisms;
5. Support the activities of the Dominican and civil society network in promoting human rights in the DRC to ensure long term impacts.

Expected results :

1. Participants acquire the tools for data collection and analysis;
2. Participants gain practical knowledge for effective advocacy with national institutions and the United Nations;
3. The human rights work of the Dominican and civil society network in the DRC is sustainable;
4. Cases of human rights violations are promptly reported to the DRC authorities and at the UN.