Tragic past of war and abuse turns to hopeful future of dignity and success

WORKING with women who have lost everything in the conflict and have nowhere to turn, an NGO in the eastern Congo is making the difference and turning tragic tales into hopeful futures.

Women for Women International (WfWI) has operated in the war-ravaged region since 2004. Women are turning from being sexually attacked victims into courageous advocates of people’s rights, driving morale change within communities and encouraging independence for females in some of the poorest areas. Acting charity leader Leon Pascal Nkundwa said: “It’s all about giving them dignity after they’ve been suppressed, a skill, training, so they can fend for themselves.”

Around 1,000 women were trained last year in areas of heavy fighting, while another 1,000 have enrolled in the NGO’s courses so far this year.