Africa

This report demonstrates how the conflicts in the east of Democratic Republic of Congo are embedded in Congolese history and how they relate mainly to the distribution of power and economic resources, influenced by the ethnic identity of the various parties. The conflicts combine local aspects along with the dynamics of regional war, which explains their particular complexity. This report analyses the various programmes aimed at restoring peace in the country, concluding that they have not addressed the root causes of conflict.

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The people of Rwanda have come a long way since the 1994 genocide that took nearly a million lives. Yet the stories captured in our Fractured Lives photo exhibition show that survivors, ex-combatants and ex-prisoners are still struggling to rebuild their lives.

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OUR VOICES – ENGLISH

NOS VOIX, LES ACTIONS – FRANÇAIS

To read more about "Our Voices / Nos Voix, Les Actions", click here.

This report sets out to examine and understand the position of women in the peace economy and politics, and the interaction between their increased economic power and their participation in political and public life in northern Uganda. Women have played a key role in the region’s economic recovery after the war, enabling them to increase their income significantly; however, not at a level which would allow them to achieve economic security, and break free from the cycle of economic survival and merely meeting practical needs.

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Ce rapport examine la participation des femmes dans le processus de paix d’Arusha pour le Burundi, en particulier la manière dont les femmes Burundaises sont parvenues, malgré leur faible représentation à la table des négociations, à faire inclure un certain nombre de dispositions favorables aux droits des femmes et au  principe de l’égalité des sexes dans le texte de l’Accord de paix signé en 2000.

A la conquête de la parole : La participation des femmes dans la transition démocratique au Burundi

Ce rapport analyse l’intégration d’une perspective genre dans le  processus de décentralisation au Rwanda et son impact sur la participation des femmes au niveau de la gouvernance locale et sur le plan national.

Promouvoir l’égalité des sexes dans les processus de décentralisation et dans la gouvernance locale

Ce rapport fait le bilan de la participation des femmes dans le Dialogue Inter-Congolais (DIC) et dans les élections générales de 2006. Le rapport montre que malgré leur faible représentation au Dialogue Inter-Congolais (DIC) à Sun City en Afrique du Sud, les femmes Congolaises sont quand même parvenues à faire inclure des dispositions favorables aux droits des femmes et au  principe de l’égalité des sexes dans l’Accord global et inclusif pour la RDC signé à Pretoria en 2002. Cependant aucune de ces dispositions n’ont été mises en œuvre.

La participation des femmes dans les processus de paix et la prise de décision politique en République Démocratique du Congo

The Great Lakes region has in the last ten to fifteen years seen an increase in women’s representation and involvement in politics and the public sphere, a positive outcome of the region’s peace processes and political transitions.

One of the positive outcomes of recent peace processes in Africa’s Great Lakes region has been the increased involvement of women in the public sphere, primarily thanks to the adoption of quota systems for female representation. Women have had some success in influencing official peace processes in the region, ensuring provisions for women’s rights were made. They have been actively engaged as both voters and candidates in elections, but few are elected.

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Small-scale cross-border trade plays an important role in supporting communities in the Great Lakes region of Africa. This trade provides essential foodstuffs for communities and an income for some 45,000 traders and their families. Yet it faces considerable barriers.

This report looks at the reconciliation and reintegration of genocide survivors, former combatants, ex-prisoners and youth in Rwanda, and what lessons can be learned from the experience.

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Marking the International Day of Peace, International Alert today released ‘Fractured Lives’, a photographic essay and film on the incredible stories of Rwandan people who are still working hard to rebuild their lives and their divided society 18 years after the 1994 genocide.

Through the photos of Carol Allen Storey, we explore the long-term effects of war and the complexity of reconciling a nation.

Marking the International Day of Peace, on 21st September International Alert released ‘Fractured Lives’, a photographic essay (below) and film (watch here) on the remarkable stories of Rwandan people who are still working hard to rebuild their lives and their divided society, 18 years after the 1994 genocide.

The photos by award-winning photojournalist Carol Allen Storey highlight the long-term effects of war and the complexity of reconciling a nation.

Ce rapport de recherche analyse les dynamiques du petit commerce transfrontalier au niveau des 3 frontières à l’Est de la RDC et entre le Burundi et le Rwanda, et propose des actions pour l’amélioration de ce commerce afin de faire avancer le pouvoir économique des femmes et, par là même, contribuer à la paix et à la sécurité dans la région.

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Annexes

This report analyses the dynamics of small cross-border trade in eastern DRC, and between Burundi and Rwanda, and ways to improve  such trade in order to advance the economic power of women, contributing to peace and security in the region.

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Annexes (in French)