MAnU DRC/Burundi (coordination)

The Mwanamke, Amani na Usalama Consortium 2.0 (Kiswahili for Women, Peace and Security) consisting of two Dutch organisations and one regional organisation based in the DRC - will work towards promoting the effective application of UNSCR 1325 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burundi. This proposal builds upon the experiences and lessons learnt from the consortium’s current MAnU 1 programme (2016-2020) in the DRC, as well as other past and ongoing programmes of the consortium members in the Great Lakes region. MAnU 2.0 identifies three interrelated key problems that prevent women’s and girls’ meaningful participation in peace processes: 1) Women are insufficiently protected from violence; 2) persistent harmful gender norms obstruct peace, and 3) political spaces restrict women’s voices. The Theory of Change (TOC) addresses 3 key groups which can foster this change: Women and girls (leaders) can be supported to build their self-esteem and begin to voice their rights. Men, boys, religious leaders and community leaders (informal power holders) are influential and respected decision-makers at the household and community level, are guardians of social and gender norms and can help advance women’s peace agenda at the local level. Local, Provincial and National Authorities (formal power holders) have power over the implementation of laws and policies protecting women and girls from violence and human rights abuses. To empower these groups to become agents of change, we will apply three cross-cutting strategies. We use Awareness & Reflection to engage stakeholders to understand and reflect upon their actions, their lives and the norms and societies in which they live. We strengthen capacities of societal groups as a means to foster lasting change for respect for women’s rights in peaceful societies. Through Lobby & Advocacy at the local, provincial and national levels, we will use evidence-based advocacy to ensure the full implementation of the NAPs 1325 and support women advocates to join alliances and raise their demands for change. Finally, we will use national evidence at the regional level to lobby for the implementation of the RAP 1325, and other regional agreements, to advance implementation of NAP 1325 in DRC and Burundi. This will be done through 8 In-Country Partners (ICPs) in DRC in 5 territories in North and South Kivu (Rutshuru, Masisi, Lubero, Idjwi, Uvira) and 4 ICPs in Burundi in Bubanza (Bubanza & Mpanda) and Cibitoke (Buganda & Rugombo), and Gitega. In this way we aim to contribute to overall objective of the Dutch NAP1325: Women and Girls in DRC and Burundi participate meaningfully in conflict prevention, resolution, mediation, peacebuilding and protection.