Our partnership with World Relief

A shocking 8 out of 10 women have been raped in Eastern Congo, a number beyond imagination. As a central issue for the people in Eastern Congo, World Relief is mobilizing local churches and engaging local governments to bring about change. The church is well positioned to care for survivors, ameliorate the cultural stigma, provide group counseling, and help them generate income for themselves through micro-savings and agricultural projects.

An important way local churches are playing a role in this project is through the development of grassroots Village Peace Committees. Members of the community – spouses, neighbors, families, etc. – can bring grievances to the committee and engage in a reconciliation process. Peace starts in the home, between neighbors and in communities. Churches are keys to peace throughout eastern DR Congo and World Relief works with its member churches to resolve conflict at the grassroots level so that conflict cannot take root in communities and be exploited by militias and other armed forces. Last year, over 600 local churches were involved in peace-building activities. World Relief is also working with local governments to raise awareness in schools and with military leaders, helping to change their attitudes toward women.