State Department visits IMA’s program to counter violence against women and girls in the Democratic Republic of Congo

U.S. State Department Deputy Assistant Secretary Scott Busby visited IMA World Health’s office in Goma, DRC, on June 20, 2019, to understand first-hand the efforts to prevent sexual and violence against women and girls in the country and support survivors. Years of insecurity and conflict, along with deeply rooted inequities and harmful cultural practices, have contributed to high rates of sexual and violence against women and girls in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

IMA and our partners have supported more than 35,000 survivors of sexual and violence against women and girls in the DRC since 2009 through USAID-funded projects (Ushindi and Tushinde Ujeuri). This comprehensive effort provides psychosocial support, medical services for post-HIV and sexually transmitted infection exposure, legal services, and livelihoods support to help survivors reintegrate into their communities. It also promotes equity and works to change cultural norms that perpetuate sexual and violence against women and girls.

During his visit, Secretary Busby solicited recommendations from the IMA team on how the federal government could push for solutions to sexual and violence against women and girls at the policy level. The IMA team discussed the impact of human trafficking, armed conflict and poor enforcement of existing laws and policies on the prevalence of sexual violence.

Secretary Busby and his delegation toured a facility for women who need medical services as a result of sexual violence. Operated by our partner HEAL Africa, the facility also includes an obstetric fistula surgery unit, a school for the children of the women recovering at the facility, and a skills training center where women are taught sewing skills to make handicrafts or clothing.

Scott Busby serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., where he oversees the Bureau’s work on Africa, East Asia and the Pacific, Multilateral and Global Affairs.

The USAID-IMA World Health Counter-violence against women and girls Program, or “Tushinde Ujeuri” in Swahili, is a comprehensive program to help communities respond to and prevent violence against women and girls in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The United States Agency for International Development-funded program is made possible by the generosity of the American people and implemented by IMA World Health. Learn more at imaworldhealth.org/tushinde.