Final Evaluation: Prevention and Reduction of Violence in Schools

Location: Democratic Republic of the Congo 

Grantee: Fonds pour les Femmes Congolaises (Fund for Congolese Women) 

Grant period: 1 January 2020 - 31 March 2023 

Grant amount: USD 98,5146 

Authors/editors: MAX IMPACT SARL 

Publication year: 2023 

The Fund for Congolese Women (Fonds pour les Femmes Congolaises) implemented a three-year project, “Prevention and Reduction of Violence in Schools”, with the support of the UN Trust Fund. The project aimed to: 

• ensure that 600 girls in the 10 target provinces of Kinshasa, Kongo Central, Kasaï oriental, Kasaï Central, Haut Uélé, Ituri, Maniema, Nord-Kivu, Sud-Kivu and Tanganyika feel safer and better equipped to protect themselves against sexual violence in schools.  

The final evaluation found that girls in schools had increased their knowledge of the rights of women and girls, the various forms of sexual violence, and the laws against sexual violence. 

Main findings of the evaluation:  

• Most of the girls who participated in the project had gained confidence and no longer felt it was inappropriate to discuss the issue of sexual violence, or report cases of abuse, harassment and sexual violence committed by their male classmates or teachers.  
• Girls with disabilities who received training showed courage in raising awareness and speaking out. 
• The trained girls, including those in girl clubs in schools, created a mutually encouraging dynamic for preventing and reducing sexual violence against women and girls.  
• The project helped expand the movement of women and girls who challenge stereotypes and lead the fight against sexual violence, which impacted on the surrounding communities.