In the face of persistent sexual and gender-based violence in Ituri, the MONUSCO Police (UNPOL), in collaboration with the Congolese National Police (PNC), is stepping up prevention efforts among communities. On Friday, August 7, 2026, an awareness-raising session brought together 34 students from the University of Bunia, including 11 young women, with the aim of strengthening their knowledge of their rights and the mechanisms available for reporting sexual violence.

For the organizers, information remains an essential tool for prevention. By encouraging victims and witnesses to report abuse, awareness-raising activities help combat impunity and protect the most vulnerable.

Breaking the silence

In higher education institutions as well as schools, sexual violence remains a major concern. Yet the issue often remains difficult to address because of fear, stigma, or power dynamics that discourage victims from reporting abuse.

During discussions with the students, the facilitators placed particular emphasis on sexual harassment practices linked to obtaining academic favors, commonly referred to as “sexually transmitted grades.” According to them, this reality primarily affects young women and undermines their personal development, academic integrity, and future professional prospects.

“There are many people in positions of authority who take advantage of the naivety of some female students to obtain sexual favors. They exchange grades for sexual relations,” said Grâce Balume, Deputy Commissioner of the Congolese National Police in charge of preventing sexual violence.

Participants in the awareness session were also informed about reporting procedures and the support available to victims, with the aim of encouraging them to break their silence.

The family: the first line of defense

For several students attending the meeting, the fight against sexual violence must extend beyond the university setting. Sarah Avuti, a law student at the University of Bunia, believes prevention should begin within families themselves.

“It is something I have seen and come to understand: gender-based violence starts at home. So, in addition to raising awareness among us students, I think it would also be better to raise awareness among parents,” she explained.

Despite Ebola, awareness-raising efforts continue

Beyond universities, specialized UNPOL and PNC teams regularly continue awareness campaigns in neighborhoods, markets, and other public spaces in Bunia.

These activities are carried out in particular by MONUSCO Police’s Specialized Police Team on Gender (SPT/Gender) and by the PNC’s Child Protection and Prevention of Sexual Violence Unit (EPEPVES). However, the current context, marked by the Ebola virus disease outbreak in Ituri, poses an additional challenge for those involved in prevention efforts.

“Before the Ebola outbreak, we organized many awareness sessions for parents, children, teachers, and students on the dangers of sexual and gender-based violence. The message we sent to parents was: take responsibility, send your children to school, and avoid letting them roam around all day, so they do not become easy targets for sexual predators. Since Ebola, awareness-raising activities have decreased somewhat. However, we met with the mayors of the Shari, Nyakasanza, and Mbunya municipalities to plan new activities in smaller formats adapted to the current context,” explained a member of MONUSCO Police’s SPT/Gender in Bunia.

A collective commitment is needed

For prevention actors, breaking the silence and encouraging the reporting of abuse remain essential in the fight against this phenomenon. It is a struggle that concerns every sphere of society: schools, universities, workplaces, markets, and families alike.

Through these initiatives, the PNC and UNPOL reaffirm their commitment to preventing sexual and gender-based violence and strengthening the protection of communities in Ituri.