A community radio station and the Women’s House have been established in Kigulube, in the territory of Shabunda, South Kivu, as part of the WOSH-Women of Shabunda initiative, with funding of US$1,500,000 from the United Nations Secretary-Peacebuilding General’s Fund.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO) together implemented the initiative (UNESCO).
On July 1, 2022, in front of local officials, the provincial head of the gender division, the advisor to the provincial minister of the interior, the advisor to the general commissioner for gender, and the local populace, UNESCO officially handed over the Women’s House, the radio, and the computer kit.
A radio programme dedicated to combating violence against women
The installation of the community radio has as its main objective educating the populace about peaceful communication as a source of peace and peaceful cooperation.
According to Mathilde Mihigo, a UNJHRO representative in Bukavu who attended the official opening event, “the United Nations intends to enable women to expose all sorts of abuse and violations against them in this part of the DRC, which is plagued by insecurity, through this mass media instrument.”
The community radio of Shabunda also plays a role in supporting the rights of Shabunda women, particularly those of Kigulube in South Kivu, and fostering peace through Communication for Behavioral Change.
The UNJHRO encourages “women to take control of this radio and confront deep problems of rights that affect them for their development,” Mathilde Mihigo emphasised.
A radio to shift perspectives
There is unanimity among the radio’s journalists. Due to public sensitization and each person’s individual shift, the introduction of this radio will undoubtedly result in a change in mentalities.
Evidence from Benjamin Mpago
We must make it our responsibility to be agents of mentality change by raising awareness among the general public.
In order to effectively discuss nonviolence, we must first practise what we preach.
As a result, we are obligated to always pursue progress.
The Kigulube women’s community radio station has been airing on FM 88.0 since June 30.
A number of animation sessions were held on June 30, the official launch date, to evaluate the extent and calibre of coverage.
The radio station in Kigulube can be heard 250 km to the west, where it can be heard in a few Maniema villages, and more than 100 km to the north, south, and east, where it can be heard in the Bukavu city neighbourhoods of Kabare, Kalehe, Walungu, and Uvira.
The region’s inhabitants, who will initially benefit from this project, supports the UN’s initiative there.
The management committee of the Women’s Center, where the community radio is located, received a hardware package (a computer, printer, and photocopier, along with some supplies).
Interactive programmes with the populace were introduced after the inaugural event.
The host urged women to speak up and report any instances of assault or other wrongdoing against them.
“We may use this radio as a means to speak our minds and condemn all sorts of violence.
Only the culprits can be held accountable, “a woman who attended the official launching of the Shabunda community radio signal said.
The Women’s Center will promote legal literature
The Women’s Center now features a “human rights” library thanks to the Joint United Nations Office for Human Rights.
Women were strongly advised to read the manuals in order to become familiar with the legal guidelines on sexual assault and other types of gender-based violence.
Additionally, this centre serves as a victim referral source.
Women’s cooperatives in mining and women’s vectors of change are just two of the women’s organisations that have been established to work at the women’s centre.
The UNJHRO will work on the promotion of women’s rights and the fight against all forms of violence, while the UNESCO will work on communication for behaviour change (CBC) and the IOM will support women in the field of mining governance on the mining sites in Shabunda.
The director of Shabunda’s division in charge of Gender, Family, and Children is pleased that the Women’s Center has been established in this DRC country’s landlocked region.
According to Ms. Kumingi Nigo, this facility will give the South Kivu province administration access to a trustworthy database of violent crime reports and enable it to coordinate efforts in the fight against sexual assault.
Three branches make up the women’s centre:
the women’s club, which promotes women’s rights awareness and education;
the mechanism for consultation is the charge of keeping track of sexual assault, interacting with rape survivors, and referring them to the proper care facilities;
The club for women’s rights, which will be in charge of promoting women’s rights.
According to Ms. Kumingi Nigo, the Shabunda territory has a history of gender-based violence and rape. 804 rape cases were reported by the division between January 2020 and September 2021.
65 incidents of women who survived rape since October 2021 have been documented.