UN’s Radio Okapi sets gender equality standards for media in DR Congo

Women are rarely given centre stage in the political arena of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Gender specialists within the country’s UN peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO) calculated that women typically receive less than 10% of all air time. In an attempt to carve out a space for women’s equal political participation, MONUSCO’s gender affairs team launched an initiative with Radio Okapi that brought Congolese women into the studio and on the air throughout the 2018 national elections. Through this concerted effort, participation of women in two of its most important political programmes increased to more than 50% and reached an astonishing 93% in another of the station’s weekly broadcasts. Listeners were thrilled.
Read the story on: https://medium.com/unpeacekeeping/uns-radio-okapi-sets-gender-equality-standards-for-media-in-dr-congo-9c53f6346bbd
Strengthening the Rule of Law and Protection of Civilians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Recent peacekeeping missions have proved that supporting the fight against impunity and strengthening the justice sector are effective in engaging politically with stakeholders, not only in post-conflict settings, but also during conflicts. This lays the foundation of a more sustainable peace even before it is achieved.
Read the story on: https://medium.com/unpeacekeeping/strengthening-the-rule-of-law-and-protection-of-civilians-in-the-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-36f7f987c350
Protection of civilians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: A new approach

For nearly two decades, UN Peacekeeping has been at the forefront of a complex security operation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It is mandated to protect civilians, build sustainable institutions of governance and promote state authority. MONUSCO is the UN’s longest standing multidimensional peacekeeping operation and the largest UN presence in the country.
Read the story on: https://medium.com/unpeacekeeping/protection-of-civilians-in-the-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-a-new-approach-9fa6f00df4d7
Wanted for crimes against humanity, militia leader Ntabo Ntaberi Sheka surrenders

Militia leader Ntabo Ntaberi Sheka surrendered Wednesday to the United Nations Mission in the DR Congo - Monusco. He was under warrant for crimes against humanity, including mass rapes, since 2011.Sheka remained at large for more than six years as his armed group, known as the ‘Nduma Defense of Congo’, continued to commit numerous atrocities in eastern Congo, including the killing of 70 civilians and the rape of at least 387 women, men, girls, and boys in several villages of the Walikale territory. The group also forcibly recruited scores of young men and boys into their ranks.

MONUSCO will support the Congolese judicial authorities in pursuing criminal prosecutions for Sheka’s crimes, and it has a standing agreement with the government to ensure that those handed over to the national authorities are treated in accordance with human rights standards.
To learn more: goo.gl/uFQZVR
Investing in peace around the world!
Head of UN peacekeeping, Jean-Pierre Lacroix is currently visiting the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo MONUSCO
During his visit, Mr Lacroix will be meeting with national authorities, members of the government as well as political and civil society actors where he will convey the need for all Congolese stakeholders to work in a spirit of collaboration and good faith towards establishing the special provisions and full implementation of the transitional arrangements.
On the first day of his visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo Jean-Pierre Lacroix said it is imperative “to put an end on the troublesome situation” in the Kasai region, as well as to prosecute those responsible for numerous alleged massacres of civilians in Kasai.
Today, he is visiting Kananga in the central Kasai region, where he is discussing the security situation and actions taken to bring peace to the region.
“The United Nations stands in solidarity with the people of Kasai and is working to restore peace in this region, all perpetrators of human rights violations will be brought to justice,” Jean-Pierre Lacroix said.
He is expected to visit Goma and Beni in the region of North Kivu in the coming days.
To read the full story of his visit to #DRC (in French) click here:http://bit.ly/2sARHAW
To learn more about how #UN peacekeeping is making a difference around the world, click here: http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/
Name: Doté
Nationality: Democratic
Republic of Congo
Serving in: Democratic
Republic of Congo
Job title: Carpenter
“My most memorable moment was the day I got this job. Since then I can provide for my family. I work for the UN to serve my country and because peace is the most important thing. Without peace, we have nothing.”
More about the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Name: André and Lydie
Nationality: Democratic Republic of Congo
Serving in: Democratic Republic of Congo
Job title: Cook
“The UN is helping my country. Working as a cook for the peacekeeping mission is my contribution to my country for which I am proud. Without peace there is no life, it is the most important thing.”
More about the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.


