How International Alert Is Addressing SGBV in the DRC to Build Hope and Resilience
Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is much more than a ‘side effect’ of the ongoing armed conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). International Alert believes that rebuilding communities free from violence is only possible if women, girls and marginalised groups can feel safe and protected.
It is driven by the same forces: deep inequalities, weak rule of law, impunity, and the abuse of power in a system where women’s roles are dismissed. This violence fractures families, destroys community bonds, and fuels cycles of trauma and retaliation. It is also a major obstacle to disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) efforts, and slows down community recovery and reconstruction.
International Alert’s peacebuilding work in eastern DRC treats SGBV as a security threat and goes beyond immediate help to survivors. Through its various programme aimed at helping the victims, the organisation creates spaces for communities to make decisions with women’s voices valued and heard, mobilises men and traditional and local leaders to promote positive masculinity, trains and supports local women and youth-led organisations to spot risks of SGBV early and timely refer survivors to help using trauma-informed approaches.
It supports women’s livelihood initiatives to improved their economic independence and advocates for justice for survivors and for SGBV to be addressed in DDR, as well as development and humanitarian efforts.
International Alert DRC’s Director of Programmes Camille Marie-Regnault shares what makes its approach unique and how it empowers communities to move from silence to collective action. “We focus on transforming relationships — not just delivering activities. Alert works from the household to the community and institutional levels, bringing together all voices to shift harmful norms and power dynamics. Our strength lies in partnership: we support local organisations, so solutions are driven by those who understand the realities best, and the positive change can endure.”
We have been supporting peacebuilding and conflict prevention in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since 2010.
By Camille Marie-Regnault, Director of Programmes at International Alert DRC
