DDR programme in Congo: women left out

13 July 2010

The programme for demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration (DDR) implemented in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) so far has been accessed by women only to a very limited extent. Justitia et Pax Netherlands looked at the reasons for this in its research project ‘Beyond Men and Guns: making DDR work for men and women alike in the Democratic Republic of Congo’.

One of the observations is that looting increased as a result of problematic reintegration of male combatants. Banditry and looting have been associated with wide-spread rape. To the detriment of women, the Congolese peace-keeping programme has also contributed to establishing an emerging political economy of sexual exploitation and abuse.

Power relations work against women

One of the conclusions is that DDR-programmes may contribute to violence against women when implemented without awareness of gender specific needs. Power relations in armed groups prevent women and girls from registering - as ‘bush wives’ they need approval from their ‘husbands’. Former combatants met with hardship when returning to their communities for reintegration, especially when they had children fathered by enemy rebels.

Recommendations to ‘rebuild better’

The contrary is also true. DDR-programmes can address violence against women by taking into account the specific needs of men and women in each and every phase of DDR-programmes. In the report, Justitia et Pax makes suggestions and recommendations on what is needed to make DDR programmes serve as a vehicle for increased participation by women in rebuilding better. These recommendations focus on:

economic development, so that men and women can earn a livelihood
vulnerable groups, such as women with children
the receiving communities. Not only former combatants, but the whole community has suffered from the war and therefore must now benefit from support programmes. Awareness-raising is important to eliminate stigma and marginalization.
gender-awareness made culture-specific. Like human rights and human dignity, gender is a universal concept. Nevertheless, locally it may be seen as alien to one’s own culture.

Downloads

Report 'Beyond men and guns' (English)
Report 'Au-delà des hommes et des armes' (French)

Sudan People's Liberation Army (photo: IRIN)