Blog

Although official laws in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) theoretically guarantee equal access to land for all citizens, the reality is quite different in the implementation of this principle. Customary law, still based on patriarchal norms and applicable in most cases, remains highly influential and systematically favors men in matters of access to, control of, and transmission of land to the detriment of women. Women's recognized right to land ownership is therefore violated in many cases. This constitutes a denial of resources, a form of violence that restricts women's access to resources and property, particularly land.

To reverse this dynamic, the NGO PIFEVA has adopted and promotes an approach based on restoring gender equality and human rights to combat gender-based violence by promoting equitable access to land and the management of natural resources. This approach takes the form of social contracts signed in the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This approach to social contracts for the protection of young Indigenous and vulnerable women against gender-based violence (GBV) also includes access to biodiversity and natural resource management (particularly land) and promotes the prevention and peaceful resolution of conflicts. Its aims include, among other things:

• Reducing all forms of gender-based violence that prevent women and girls from making decisions that support the management of natural resources and biodiversity, as well as all climate change adaptation initiatives;

• Removing obstacles that prevent girls and women from accessing and enjoying their rights on an equal footing with men;

• Mobilizing the community to end the forms of GBV that women and girls experience, for a more just society;

• Mobilizing authorities (those with power and responsibilities) to ensure the equitable application of rights and to promote methods of conflict prevention and peaceful resolution. This approach is one of several initiatives aimed at strengthening the decision-making power and influence of vulnerable women, girls, and Indigenous people in promoting and defending their rights. These social contracts are written documents translated into local languages, whose terms aim to eliminate the main barriers preventing women from developing climate change adaptation initiatives, particularly access to land. This action places community responsibility at the heart of the process and promotes clear social accountability for commitments.

PIFEVA Communications Team