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Meet Carine Novi Safari, Democratic Republic of Congo
un article par Nobel Women's Initiative
Video: Watch Carine speak about her work
Since the first time she heard the testimony of a
woman who was raped, Carine has used her voice
to speak for the women of Congo. 
Carine Novi Safari (c) Nobelwomen
click on photo to enlarge
Carine works with Female Solidarity for Integrated
Peace and Development (SOFEPADI), a coalition
of 40 women’s organizations in eastern
Democratic Republic of Congo.
Carine is trained as a lawyer, but began focusing
more directly on the needs of women and
communities when she realized just how dire the
situation is for women and communities in the
DRC after decades of war. At SOFEPADI, she
runs the communications and fundraising efforts.
SOFEPADI works to defend and protect women’s
rights, while providing direct support to survivors
of sexual violence. The organization also
advocates for justice—including due process for
perpetrators of sexual crimes.
A 2011 study found that approximately 48 women
every hour were being raped across the DRC.
Sexual violence is particularly widespread in
eastern Congo, with government troops still
battling numerous rebel groups. This is where
Carine and her colleagues focus their efforts.
SOFEPADI works in the remote region of Orientale
Province, managing the Karibuni Wamama Clinic
in Bunia. The clinic provides essential medical and
psychosocial support to survivors of sexual
violence in the region. The organization also works
in North Kivu, with an office in Beni.
Since October, Beni has faced a fresh spate of
violent attacks from rebel groups—with rebels
targeting women and children. Just last week, the
US condemned the violence, including
widespread rape. Over a 45-day period, the
attacks on Bunia have left over 200 dead. The UN
estimates that recent violence has displaced 35
thousand people in the area.
Many women walk to the SOFEPADI offices in
Bunia and Beni from miles away. Once there,
Carine’s colleagues document the women’s
injuries, and then provide women with medical
and psychosocial support. Trained lawyers also
help put together cases to seek justice and
reparations.
SOFEPADI’s work is quickly gaining recognition at
the global level for its success in delivering holistic
care to women in a country that provides no
government health services to sexual violence
survivors, and almost no basic reproductive health
care. Carine is playing an important role in
bringing sorely needed resources and support to
Congolese women doing remarkable work—under
difficult circumstances.
(Thank you to Janet Hudgins, the CPNN reporter
for this article.)
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DISCUSSION
Question(s) liée(s) à cet article:
Can the women of Africa lead the continent to peace?,
* * * * *
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