Essential support for SGBV survivors
In the Oicha Health Zone, many women and girls who have survived Gender-Based Violence (GBV) face significant challenges in rebuilding their lives and regaining their independence. To address their specific needs and support their recovery, a case management-centred approach is being implemented, providing personalised, confidential, and dignity-centred assistance.
Through this individualized support, survivors benefit from attentive listening, psychosocial assistance, and referrals to essential services, including medical care, legal assistance, protection services, and socio-economic support, according to their needs and circumstances. This approach not only addresses the immediate consequences of the violence they have experienced but also strengthens their ability to rebuild their lives and look toward the future with greater confidence and hope.
Dignity kits
As part of this care, dignity kits are distributed to survivors to meet their most urgent needs. These kits contain several essential items, including a 10-liter bucket, laundry and toilet soap, reusable sanitary pads, beauty oil, a bath towel, a wrapper cloth, toothpaste, a toothbrush, a comb, a flashlight, and other everyday necessities. Beyond their material value, these kits help preserve the health, well-being, and dignity of beneficiaries while reducing the daily challenges they face.
A particular attention is given to young mothers and women who have recently given birth. In addition to the dignity kit, they receive a baby kit containing essential items such as a basin, a blanket, newborn clothing, diapers, underwear, socks, a towel, and a baby bag. This assistance provides significant relief to vulnerable mothers by enabling them to meet their children’s basic needs from the very first days of life.
Beyond material assistance, these interventions send a powerful message of hope to survivors, reminding them that they are not alone.
Thanks to the support of the DRC Humanitarian Fund, Help a Child and ODH are assisting numerous women in Oicha. By addressing their immediate needs while facilitating access to specialized services, this initiative helps strengthen their resilience, improve their well-being, and provide better opportunities for their children.
“Receiving this kit allowed me to take care of my baby without worrying about obtaining the essential items needed during the first days of life. I felt supported, listened to, and accompanied during a particularly difficult period,” says a young beneficiary mother.
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