Combating Violence against Women (VAW) in South Kivu: A Critical Analysis

Authors

Giulia D’Odorico
Nathalie Holvoet

Abstract

During the on-going civil conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo or DRC), which has raged on and off since 1996 and throughout the post-2002 transition period, thousands of cases of rape and other forms of sexual violence against women have been reported. Drawing on secondary data and evidence from our own field research, this article describes and assesses aid delivery to victims of sexual violence. Aid practices on the ground, as well as the underlying policy framework are critically analysed through a gender lens. It is argued that the lack of a gender perspective in the relevant humanitarian and development policies, and in current interventions on the ground, may largely explain inadequacies of the responses.

Author Biography

Giulia D’Odorico is a Gender Expert who is currently affiliated with the University of Padova, Sicily.

Nathalie Holvoet is a Development Economist and a Lecturer at the Institute of Development Policy and Management, University of Antwerp (Belgium).

Recommended Citation

D’Odorico, Giulia and Holvoet, Nathalie (2009) "Combating Violence against Women (VAW) in South Kivu: A Critical Analysis," Journal of International Women's Studies: Vol. 11: Iss. 2, Article 4.
Available at: https://vc.bridgew.edu/jiws/vol11/iss2/4