Repro Justice Congo

Towards a more inclusive society

Themes

Much of our work is based on the four major vital themes which are complementary. Here's an overview of what we do.

Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights are realized when every individual has the power and resources to make informed decisions about their own body, sexuality and reproduction. To ensure equitable access to sexual and reproductive health information and services, the RJC directs its interventions towards particularly vulnerable and marginalized groups, with an emphasis on women, adolescents and key populations.

Gender equality and social inclusion

RJC unequivocally recognizes that violence against women is inextricably linked to gender-based inequalities. With this in mind, our awareness-raising actions focus specifically on women's rights, gender-based violence (GBV) and human rights.

Health and Justice

RJC recognizes the complex relationship between health and justice, understanding that vulnerable and marginalized groups facing legal challenges often experience health disparities. At the same time, individuals facing health problems may encounter obstacles in accessing justice. In response, our program implemented a comprehensive strategy to close this gap and promote a more equitable and just society.

Environment and Technology

RJC promotes environmental protection and technological empowerment to support women and girls. Our mission is to create transformative impact by harnessing the potential of technology in conjunction with environmentally friendly practices to empower women within diverse communities.

What we do

Repro Justice Congo collaborates with esteemed academic institutions and civil society to conduct impactful researches to uncover the root causes of issues negatively affecting the rights and health of rights holders. Through rigorous research, we aim to inform strategic interventions that can influence positive policies and laws. Currently, in partnership with various organizations, we are undertaking several research initiatives, including assessing the needs and barriers preventing people who inject drugs (PWID) and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from accessing HIV services.

This year, Repro Justice Congo actively participated in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process, presenting a comprehensive submission highlighting the human rights challenges faced by key populations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This effort involved extensive groundwork led by key populations to document and collect evidence of human rights abuses. We anticipate that the resulting recommendations will provide a solid foundation for decision-makers to enact systemic, legal, and policy reforms.

Looking ahead, Repro Justice Congo is committed to conducting a comprehensive assessment covering sexual and reproductive health issues, gender equality and social inclusion, health and justice, and technology and the environment. This holistic approach will enable us to address multifaceted challenges and advocate for sustainable solutions that promote the well-being and rights of all individuals in the DRC.

Repro Justice Congo is actively involved in advocacy efforts aimed at improving sexual and reproductive health, eradicating sexual and gender-based violence, promoting acceptance and inclusion, and advancing technology literacy and environmental protection.

In this regard, Repro Justice Congo collaborates with local, national, and regional Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to enhance the health and human rights of vulnerable groups. For instance, we participated in the recent Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the DRC, submitting a shadow report and advocating for necessary reforms. Additionally, we submitted a position paper to the Ministry of Health, urging improvements in menstrual hygiene for adolescents.

At the regional level, we lead a civil society coalition in DRC advocating for the support and acceptance of the East African Community (EAC) Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Bill. As part of these efforts, we have translated the bill into French to ensure broader understanding, given that French is the official language in the DRC.

Currently, we are engaged in advocacy efforts for the revision of Article 178d of the DRC penal code, which mandates that acts of sexual harassment must be repetitive to be considered as such and requires complaints to be initiated by the victim. We view these requirements as barriers that hinder survivors from accessing justice and encourage perpetrators to continue their abuses.

Repro Justice Congo implements a human rights-based approach in its programs and interventions, recognizing it as a robust strategy for fostering lasting change. In this regard, we empower rights holders, including women, adolescents, queer individuals, and transgender individuals, by equipping them with knowledge about their human rights, enabling them to assert their rights in cases of abuse. Additionally, we focus on building the capacity of decision-makers, including policymakers, security officers, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders, to fulfill their human rights obligations as stipulated by regional and international human rights instruments ratified by the DRC.

As part of these efforts, we are currently supporting a team of youth ambassadors from the University of Goma to address sexual harassment within the university environment. This initiative aims to empower young women with the skills to identify and challenge sexual harassment, establish mechanisms for survivors to report incidents, and create spaces for exchange and psychological support.

Moreover, we offer support to healthcare providers through Value Clarification and Attitude Transformation (VCAT) trainings. These sessions facilitate discussions on conflicts of thought regarding cultural and religious beliefs in relation to professional responsibilities. This approach has proven effective in transforming the attitudes of healthcare providers toward sensitive issues such as abortion, sexual orientation, and gender identity, thereby enhancing the provision of friendly and stigma-free services.

Repro Justice Congo harnesses the power of law to advocate for universal access to sexual and reproductive health information and services, advance gender equality, promote social inclusion, and advocate for digital and environmental inclusion. We recognize sexual and reproductive health as a dynamic area for litigation in the DRC, and our team of legal experts is currently engaged in litigation matters at both national and regional levels.