Baseline Study on Protection Needs of Women Human Rights Defenders in North and South Kivu

Protection International initiated this baseline study on the security and protection of women human rights defenders (WHRDs) in North and South Kivu in order to adapt its support to the specific security and protection needs of WHRDs, identify specific needs, review existing internal tools and define necessary tools such as policy and programming indicators that can be developed in its programme to be implemented in the DRC in the coming years.

Two provinces were selected by PI for the study: North and South Kivu. In each province, two territories and the provincial capital were selected. In South Kivu, the territories studied were Uvira and Kalehe and the city of Bukavu. In North Kivu, the territories of Masisi and Rutshuru and the city of Goma were studied.

In each selected territory and city, a questionnaire was submitted to respondents from HRD organizations (local and international), civil society organizations and political-administrative authorities in charge of citizen protection issues. A few other key players identified in the survey community were also approached for the survey. As provided for in the methodological framework, focus groups and individual interviews were conducted in the different regions. A total of 222 people, including 138 women and 84 men, were surveyed in 20 focus groups and 23 individual interviews.

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