Goma, the capital of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has a population of one million people approximately, nearly half of them are displaced. Armed groups, the illegal diamond market and ongoing armed conflict have made this city the most insecure in Africa. Women and children are the most vulnerable group. Currently, Goma is the city with the most cases of rape in the world; every month 1,152 women are abused.
Codespa Foundation assists women victims of violence in Goma and facilitates their psycho-affective recovery and socio-economic inclusion in order to have the possibility of having a dignified life again. The integral support that these women and young people will receive is focused on 3 axes: education so that they can go to school and literacy for their professional inclusion; in this sense, courses will be provided and business plans will be developed so that they can start activities that generate resources through micro-financing mechanisms. The sensitization of communities to gender violence and in particular to violations, in order to exercise the rights to social denunciation in families and communities. And collective empowerment through which women, men and families will be sensitized to promote change in the attitudes that perpetuate violence against women in Congolese society. This will strengthen people's ability to make claims and influence decisions that affect them.
