Citation

Amisi C, Apassa RB, Cikara A, ØStby G, Nordås R, Rustad SA, Quattrochi J. Med. Conflict. Surviv. 2018; 34(3): 201-223.

Affiliation

Simmons University, Boston , MA , USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13623699.2018.1541625

PMID

30403879

Abstract

In the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo there are several support programmes for sexual violence survivors, but their impacts are rarely systematically assessed. We investigated the effects for women from two support programmes that include both survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and others. Specifically, we estimated (1) the effect of SGBV on social exclusion and economic well-being, and (2) the effects of support programmes on social exclusion and economic well-being, as well as differential effects for SGBV survivors and others. Based on an original survey of 1,203 women, we found that survivors felt less included across various social settings, but their economic well-being was no different than that of other women. We also found that support programmes significantly improve both perceived social inclusion and economic well-being for survivors and non-survivors. The effects on economic well-being were larger for survivors. In conclusion, these support programmes brought important benefits to survivors and non-survivors alike, although there is potential for improvement, particularly on social inclusion for SGBV survivors.

Language: en

Keywords

DRC; SGBV; Sexual violence; South Kivu; social exclusion/inclusion; support programmes