More than 18 years of conflict between armed groups and government forces in eastern DRC have resulted in millions of deaths and forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes. Insecurity often has a disproportionate effect on women and girls, who are exposed to violence during their daily routines. Armed groups frequently engage in attacks on women and girls, including rape, as a means to disempower and terrorize populations. These sorts of attacks, categorized as gender-based violence (GBV), are a significant humanitarian concern in DRC.
Responding to populations affected by GBV, USAID/OFDA supports programs that provide survivors with medical and psychosocial assistance. Additionally, programs funded by USAID/OFDA in other sectors such as agriculture and water and sanitation (WASH) are designed to minimize risks for beneficiaries. For example, humanitarian agencies locate plots for demonstrating agriculture techniques in areas that women can safely access and consult displaced women in camp settings regarding placement of latrines.