Ending violence against women in the context of COVID-19

Date: Friday, March 27, 2020

As the current COVID-19 global pandemic spreads through the world, the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women (UN Trust Fund), and its grantees, recognize the gender dimensions of the impact from the COVID-19 outbreak. In this challenging time, the need to respond to the immediate and long-term consequences of the current crisis for women and girls is critical.

Statement by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka on the conviction of Bosco Ntaganda by the International Criminal Court

Date: Monday, July 8, 2019

UN Women welcomes the conviction of Bosco Ntaganda by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on 8 July 2019 for crimes committed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2002 and 2003. The former rebel leader was found guilty on 13 counts of war crimes and 5 counts of crimes against humanity, including rape, sexual slavery, displacement of civilians, and enlisting and conscripting child soldiers under the age of 15 and using them to participate actively in hostilities.

Listen, believe, support: the power of mental health care for survivors of violence

Date: Tuesday, March 5, 2019

Around the world, one in every three women will be beaten, coerced into sex or abused in some other way—most often by someone she knows. Yet public services, such as quality mental health services, are rarely planned with women’s safety, recovery and healing from violence in mind.

From where I stand: “I never gave up and I am learning everyday”

Date: Monday, March 4, 2019

Globally, 1.7 billion adults remain unbanked, and 56 per cent of them are women, according to latest data from The World Bank. The trend continues in Africa, where up to 95 million unbanked adults receive cash payments for agricultural products, and 65 million save using semiformal methods. Lack of access to banking services and financial skills such as savings, budgeting and debt management, means women who are already poor, have little or no means to invest, retire or build a cushion against emergencies. In humanitarian crisis, these challenges are compounded. Esperance Mutegwaraba, 61, fled the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2012 along with 30,000 refugees.

In the words of Emmanuella Zandi Mudherwa: “I want every survivor to be called victorious”

Date: Monday, November 12, 2018

Emmanuella Zandi Mudherwa, 21, founded her own non-profit organization, “Ma Voisine” (My neighbour) in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, which promotes girls’ empowerment by girls. Today it has 12,000 members around the country. She collaborates with UN Women on initiatives to raise awareness about gender-based violence.

In the words of Anny T. Modi: “Young women want to be considered as actors and agents of change”

Date: Thursday, August 2, 2018

Anny Tengandide Modi is a 36-year-old single mother living in Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In July 2017, she joined the African Women Leaders Network, launched by UN Women, the African Union Commission and the Permanent Mission of Germany. Modi serves as the Youth Advocate within the Network. She is also the Executive Director of Afia Mama (Women’s Health), an organization committed to the reproductive health and access to justice for women, as well leadership development, economic empowerment, legal assistance and social development for young women.

“We want change, and we want it now”—Executive Director

Date: Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Speech by Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, at the Congolese women leaders’ summit on 25 July, 2017, in Kinshasa

Joint UN-AU delegation to focus on women’s participation and leadership in electoral and peace processes during visit to DRC

Date: Monday, July 24, 2017

Following a high-level visit to Nigeria, the joint UN-AU delegation led by UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed will be in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to urge action to strengthen meaningful participation of women in peace and security and elections. The UN Deputy Chief will be joined in the DRC by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict Pramila Patten, and the African Union (AU) Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security Bineta Diop.

Joint UN–AU high-level delegation to Nigeria and the DRC to spotlight women, peace and security agenda

Date: Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Today, the UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed began a first-of-its-kind visit to Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), joined by the Executive Director of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, and the African Union Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security, Bineta Diop.

From where I stand: “We barely had a meal in three days”

Date: Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Florence Luanda Maheshe found herself in a refugee camp in the Democratic Republic of Congo with six children to feed and barely enough food. Once the camp closed, she was left with no support. Access to a small piece of land and assistance from a NGO supported by UN Women helped Maheshe stand on her own feet.

From where I stand: Nahimana Fainesi

Date: Monday, May 23, 2016

Nahimana Fainesi fled her native Burundi and has been living in the Lusenda refugee camp in Democratic Republic of Congo where she works as a farmer in a UN Women cash-for-work programme.

Statement by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka on the conviction of Jean-Pierre Bemba by the International Criminal Court

Date: Tuesday, March 22, 2016

UN Women welcomes the landmark conviction of Jean-Pierre Bemba by the International Criminal Court on 21 March 2016, for his failure to prevent and punish the rape, murder and pillage committed by his troops in the Central African Republic in 2002 and 2003.

African representatives push for action to bring women to the peace table

Date: Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Dr. Priscilla Joseph, founder and Chair of the South Sudan Women’s Peace Network, came to the African Union Gender Pre-Summit from 19-20 January with pressing questions about how to ensure women can be more involved in the peace process in her country, and across the continent.

“The struggle is not over, so stay with it until we have been able to deliver”—Executive Director in DRC

Date: Monday, December 7, 2015

Speech by UN Under-Secretary-General and UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, at the “High-Level Dialogue on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment: Commitment for Action!” in Kinshasa, DRC, on 4 December 2015.

During the 16 days of activism, UN Women Executive Director visits DRC

Date: Thursday, December 3, 2015

On her first official visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, UN Women’s Executive Director is taking part in a series of high-level meetings and public events to mark the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.

Executive Director to visit Democratic Republic of the Congo

Date: Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Marking her first official visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka will begin her mission on 1 December. During the four-day trip, she will partake in both high-level advocacy and grass-roots efforts to advance gender equality in the country and around the world.

In the words of Julienne Lusenge: “Women are the first victims of war” in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Date: Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Julienne Lusenge is Director of the Fund for Congolese Women (FFC) and President of SOFEPADI in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where she says “violence is a part of daily life”. In October 2015, she spoke about gender-based violence in conflict at the UN Security Council's Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security. Ms. Lusenge later met with officials from UN Women to discuss the challenges and discrimination endured by Congolese women.

Congolese refugees living with HIV forge ahead, gaining independence

Date: Friday, February 28, 2014

Women are cultivating mushrooms and tomatoes, learning about business and agriculture and pooling their funds along with combating social stigma and confronting gender-based violence.

Michelle Bachelet welcomes the appointment of Mary Robinson as Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes region of Africa

Date: Tuesday, March 26, 2013

The former UN High Commissioner and former President of Ireland will serve as Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes region of Africa. Her appointment is an historic first and a major milestone in the progress of women’s rights and gender equality.

Setting the scene: using audio-visual tools to train peacekeepers to respond

Date: Wednesday, November 28, 2012

A new scenario-based training programme by UN Women and the DPKO is teaching troops and officers to better understand, prevent and respond to conflict-related sexual violence.