The need for supervision of young/teen mothers and idle girls remains enormous in the Congolese Nile basin region. The dire need is a direct consequence of the security situation that’s hindering the socio-economic development of young people, most of whom are illiterate, unemployed and significantly marginalized.

World over, civil society plays key role in the advocacy for social - economic development of marginalised communities. In observation of the International Women’s Day 2023, the CSOs of North Kivu Province of DRC with the leadership of Action des Communautés Payssanne pour le Developement Integré (ACPDI) (Action of Peasant Communities for Integrated Development) ceased opportunity of the day to bring together and highlight the plight of marginalised idle teens, and young mothers within the region.

ACPDI is a local NGO and a member of Nile Basin Discourse subscribing through the DRC Nile Discourse Forum. ACPDI is implementing a support project for the Socio-Economic Reintegration of Marginalized and Unemployed Young People as a measure to promote peace in the health area of Ngeleza, Territory of Lubero, North Kivu province in the DRC.   The project covers 14 villages including BUNDO, KYAVIRIMU, KIRUNGU, KYANGIMBA, KIRIMBUNDA, VUVANDE, MUHIMBIRA, VULEKYA, KINYE, LUBWE, KINYATSI, MAHAMBA, MUMBO, MWISE, all together with an estimated population of 11,353 inhabitants from 1,793 households (averaging to 6 people per household); with about 1,567 marginalized and unemployed young people - including 545 teenage single mothers with 708 children under their care; 522 young idle girls, 477 idle boys and 14 ex-combatants.   The 1,567 unemployed and marginalized young people represents 13.8% of the total population of 14 villages in the health area, while ignoring the 708 dependent children of child mothers/girls who give birth early.

The project includes a literacy class, currently with 400 learners distributed in the three training centres including the:  Lubwe/Mihake center with 120 learners among whom 50 are young/teenage mothers, 45 idle girls, 20 idle boys and 5 ex-combatants;  Ngeleza/Katalio center with 142 learners including 51 young mothers, 64 idle girls, 23 idle boys and 4 ex-combatants; and Kirungu Centre with 138 learners including 48 young mothers, 60 idle girls, 25 idle boys and 5 ex-combatants.

The event for the celebration of the International Women’s Day of March 8th was held at KIMWANA-KAWA hall in Mihake under the national theme "Egalitarian digital education for peace and the empowerment of women and girls in the Democratic Republic of Congo”, with a participation of over 561 young people majority being female totalling to 397.

Given the socio-security situation, a sub-theme/provincial theme was set up and focused on the subject of education "Information technologies for promotion of peace and resolution of community conflicts".
 During the event, participants were taught the importance of planting fruit trees to fhttps://nilebasindiscourse.org/administrator/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&layout=edit&id=454#ight against global warming and malnutrition in families since most of them were young/teen mothers.
This was followed by a debate based on the localised theme of the day “Information technologies for promotion of peace and resolution of community conflicts”; characterised with questions and answers that edified the participants’ intake of knowledge.

Participants were also taught on how women can rationally use new information technologies to build lasting peace in DRC and also advocate for egalitarian digital education throughout the community.

Sensitizing themes were presented on the fight against discrimination of women and girls in education so that they can actively and equally participate in the development of DRC, Africa and the World in General. Participants were also treated to a comedy show to firmly establish the days’ theme through humour.

The hosts of the event saw to it that majority of the presenters and facilitators on the event are women and youth; to serve as an example and inspiration to the young girls; that they can also become responsible people and contribute to the development of their communities.

The event was a success; it reached out to many young people especially girls. The main topics of discussion including planting fruit trees for the fight against global warming and malnutrition, egalitarian digital education for peace and the empowerment of women and girls in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and new information technologies at the service of peace and the resolution of community conflicts were timely topics that truly added on the knowledge of those that attended the event.

The need for supervision of young/teen mothers and idle girls remains enormous in the Congolese Nile basin region. The dire need is a direct consequence of the security situation that’s hindering the socio-economic development of young people, most of whom are illiterate, unemployed and significantly marginalized.

About ACPDI

Created in 2005, the NGO “Action des Communautés Payssanne pour le Developpement Integré” (Action of Peasant Communities for integrated development) aims to contribute to the socio-economic promotion of the peasant community. ACPDI a full member of the DRC Nile Discourse Forum and exists to campaign for the well-being of peasants through Food Security and Nutritional Promotion, Rehabilitation of Road Infrastructure, Social Protection and Promotion of Peace, Health, Water, Hygiene and sanitation; Environmental protection and humanitarian assistance. It is located in Butembo city, Vutetse Quarter, 67 Visogho Cell, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Among other programmes, ACPDI works to promote gender through the sensitization of young mothers and idle daughters on the themes of promoting peace, the fight against global warming and skilling youths in making crafts for economic independence.