DRC: Intervention in HR
Key Facts and Figures:
Life expectancy - 59 (M) 63 (F)
Population estimated at 101.8 million (2020)
Wealth of natural resources but one of the poorest countries due to political instability (GDP - $785)
High IMR MMR
What Are The Main HR Issues in DRC?
Civilian loss of life, disappearances, torture, rape
People displaced from their homes (IDP's) and refugees
Limited access to health care and education
High rates of IMR, MMR
Food insecurity; high incidence of malnutrition
Child recruitment by military groups
People trafficking
Forced labour
Domestic violence
Limited land and property rights for women
Global Governance Strategies in DRC:
Work of the UN:
Co-operates with the Congolese government to achieve stabilisation and development in the DRC
The UN Stabilisation Mission (MONUSCO) has replaced the Peacekeeping Mission (MONUC)
OHCHR - human rights issues, especially in the east
WHO - responding to Ebola and measles outbreaks
Work of NGOs: operate in the current areas of conflict
CARE -
Helping to reduce mortality
Strengthen local governance
Improve gender equality
Reduce vulnerability to social injustices especially for political migrants
ActionAid -
Working to improve community resilience by providing agricultural tools, seeds and training to promote self-sufficiency and provide access to education for children
USAID -
Helps fund NGOs and development programmes
Work of DRC Government:
Opportunities For Stability, Growth and Development:
Stability:
January 2019 - first peaceful transfer of power in the country's history
UN and African Union - established peace and security and HR treaties available for the government to sign and ratify
Growth:
Potential to become one of the richest economies in Africa (mineral resources)
NGOs are promoting economic growth at local scale through training and employment in agriculture and development of grassroots women's organisations
Development:
HDI has improved slowly (0.459, 179th, 2018)
17 SDGs, 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (UN and civil society organisations)
Challenges of Inequality and Injustices:
Inequality:
Gender:
Subjected to domestic violence
Subjected to sex trafficking and forced labour
Many young children are forcibly recruited as child soldiers
Limited access to healthcare and education (rural areas most affected)
Injustice:
Vulnerable urban street children, orphaned or separated from their families need protection
74% of population live in extreme poverty on less than $1.90 per day; many are driven into artisanal mining with dangerous working conditions and exploitation (unfair prices)
New president (2019) - made positive changes by creating a coalition government
Aims include improvements in governance, economic development, safety and access to healthcare, sanitation and education
Intervention aims to protect civilians, humanitarian personnel and HR defenders under imminent threat of physical violence
Supports the DRC government in attempting to consolidate peace efforts - over 18,000 personnel are deployed near Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi borders