Ms. Zerrougui moreover attempted to explain the misunderstandings on the part of the Congolese towards MONUC’s mandate, and in particular underlined the responsibilities that lie not with MONUC, but with the Congolese authorities.

She also called on civil society and women’s organisations to mobilize themselves in order to make themselves heard, and to take part in all aspects of the country’s political and social life.

The organisations under the “Permanent Dialogue Framework of Congolese Women” (CAFCO), presented a memorandum relating primarily to issues such as the protection of civilians, sexual violence, gender, the electoral process and the participation of women in the peace process.

With regard to the protection of civilians, Ms. Zerrougui stressed that the first responsibility lies with the government, whereas MONUC’s role is to support the government’s protection of civilians, in particular in conflict zones, as Security Council resolution 1856 underlines.

Thus MONUC concentrates 95% of its troops in eastern DRC, and has set up protection mechanisms for civilians and vulnerable groups, such as the joint protection teams and community early warning systems.

For the remainder of the country, she specified that it’s the government’s responsibility to fight against crime and to ensure the security of its citizens. According to its capacities MONUC is assisting the authorities in the fight against crime and citizen security, through the training of the Congolese National Police.

On sexual violence, Ms. Zerrougui recalled that the United Nations as a whole had recently adopted a global strategy on the fight against sexual violence, which had just been adopted by the country team, with the support of the government and donors to the DRC.

MONUC is now setting up a special centre and unit to tackle the issue of sexual violence, which will support other efforts made by United Nations agencies.

As for gender violence, Ms. Zerrougui stressed that MONUC gave its support for the government’s programme.

Several participants voiced their concerns relating to the failures of the legal system, corruption, the impunity of those that commit sexual violence, the non execution of legal decisions, the absence of compensation mechanisms for crime victims and the rape of female prisoners.

In response, Ms. Zerrougui said that MONUC assists the legal authorities through the consolidation of adequate capacities, so that those who commit sexual violence can be prosecuted. She added that MONUC, in collaboration with certain international partners and civil society, was sensitizing the national authorities on the need to guarantee the security of vulnerable people, in particular women and minors in prison.

On the electoral process, Ms. Zerrougui said that MONUC supported the Independent Electoral Commission, but she explained that the process was complex and expensive, and that a more constant effort from the national authorities would be welcome.

Furthermore, she said that it was necessary to intensify the sensitisation of women and girls, not only as voters but as candidates. She added that it was important for women’s organisations to mobilise and sensitise women.

In conclusion, Ms. Zerrougui promised to transmit, to her colleagues in the electoral section, the requests relating to the reinforcement of the capacities of women’s organisations and support for their civic education and electoral sensitisation programmes.

Ms. Zerrougui reaffirmed MONUC’s support on the participation of women in the peace process. She explained that she had just returned from New York, where she had taken part in a conference entitled “Addressing Women’s security in Peace processes.”

She said she had defended the idea that not only was it necessary that gender be taken into account, but also that women from now should be present within the delegations of belligerents which negotiate peace agreements, so that women’s issues are taken into account.

Ms. Zerrougui said that the United Nations and MONUC remain committed to the principle of increased participation of women in all aspects of public life.
Ms. Leila Zerrougui meets with women’s organisations

Kinshasa, 16 July 2009 - Ms. Leila Zerrougui, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in the DRC, met with women’s organisations on 13 July 2009, where she explained the mandate of MONUC, but also her particular responsibilities within the Mission.

Ms. Zerrougui moreover attempted to explain the misunderstandings on the part of the Congolese towards MONUC’s mandate, and in particular underlined the responsibilities that lie not with MONUC, but with the Congolese authorities.

She also called on civil society and women’s organisations to mobilize themselves in order to make themselves heard, and to take part in all aspects of the country’s political and social life.

The organisations under the “Permanent Dialogue Framework of Congolese Women” (CAFCO), presented a memorandum relating primarily to issues such as the protection of civilians, sexual violence, gender, the electoral process and the participation of women in the peace process.

With regard to the protection of civilians, Ms. Zerrougui stressed that the first responsibility lies with the government, whereas MONUC’s role is to support the government’s protection of civilians, in particular in conflict zones, as Security Council resolution 1856 underlines.

Thus MONUC concentrates 95% of its troops in eastern DRC, and has set up protection mechanisms for civilians and vulnerable groups, such as the joint protection teams and community early warning systems.

For the remainder of the country, she specified that it’s the government’s responsibility to fight against crime and to ensure the security of its citizens. According to its capacities MONUC is assisting the authorities in the fight against crime and citizen security, through the training of the Congolese National Police.

On sexual violence, Ms. Zerrougui recalled that the United Nations as a whole had recently adopted a global strategy on the fight against sexual violence, which had just been adopted by the country team, with the support of the government and donors to the DRC.

MONUC is now setting up a special centre and unit to tackle the issue of sexual violence, which will support other efforts made by United Nations agencies.

As for gender violence, Ms. Zerrougui stressed that MONUC gave its support for the government’s programme.

Several participants voiced their concerns relating to the failures of the legal system, corruption, the impunity of those that commit sexual violence, the non execution of legal decisions, the absence of compensation mechanisms for crime victims and the rape of female prisoners.

In response, Ms. Zerrougui said that MONUC assists the legal authorities through the consolidation of adequate capacities, so that those who commit sexual violence can be prosecuted. She added that MONUC, in collaboration with certain international partners and civil society, was sensitizing the national authorities on the need to guarantee the security of vulnerable people, in particular women and minors in prison.

On the electoral process, Ms. Zerrougui said that MONUC supported the Independent Electoral Commission, but she explained that the process was complex and expensive, and that a more constant effort from the national authorities would be welcome.

Furthermore, she said that it was necessary to intensify the sensitisation of women and girls, not only as voters but as candidates. She added that it was important for women’s organisations to mobilise and sensitise women.

In conclusion, Ms. Zerrougui promised to transmit, to her colleagues in the electoral section, the requests relating to the reinforcement of the capacities of women’s organisations and support for their civic education and electoral sensitisation programmes.

Ms. Zerrougui reaffirmed MONUC’s support on the participation of women in the peace process. She explained that she had just returned from New York, where she had taken part in a conference entitled “Addressing Women’s security in Peace processes.”

She said she had defended the idea that not only was it necessary that gender be taken into account, but also that women from now should be present within the delegations of belligerents which negotiate peace agreements, so that women’s issues are taken into account.

Ms. Zerrougui said that the United Nations and MONUC remain committed to the principle of increased participation of women in all aspects of public life.