Title:
A Qualitative Analysis of Stigmatisation of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Survivors in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors:
Jacobson, Lauren
Place:
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Publisher:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute [etc.]
Year:
2021
PAGE:
xii, 76
Language:
En
Subject:
Health and Poverty
Keywords:
Democratic Republic of Congo; sexual and gender-based violence; survivors; stigma; interventions
Abstract:
Background: Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is a prevalent problem in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that is exacerbated and facilitated by ongoing conflict as well as patriarchal cultural, social, and gender norms. Stigmatisation of SGBV survivors results in consequences such as delayed treatment for health issues, mental health conditions, isolation, and prevention from seeking justice and more for survivors. For communities it perpetuates harmful cultural, gender, and social norms and results in associative stigma. Although there is increasing data on SGBV stigma in eastern DRC, there is a lack of perspectives from community members and leaders who could help characterise stigma and offer insight to potential interventions. Objective: Contextualise the stigmatisation of SGBV survivors in eastern DRC to inform future research and anti-stigma interventions to better address SGBV. Methods: A literature review and a qualitative data analysis of in-depth interviews from eastern DRC community members and leaders was done using the Health Stigma and Discrimination Framework as guidance. Results: Social, cultural, and gender norms in the DRC facilitate SGBV and its stigmatisation. These facilitators intersect with drivers of stigma, including fear of infection, blame, and a lack of appreciation for the consequences of SGBV to create stigma. These intersect with facilitators to create stigma. Survivors experience different manifestations of stigma that have negative impacts on their well-being. Different stigma practices are used in the community with rejection of survivors being the most common. While there is a lack of anti-stigma interventions in the DRC, available literature shows that combination community anti-stigma interventions that include men and address cultural, social, and gender norms, and that include an economic empowerment component for women as having been effective in reducing stigma for SGBV or other sexual and reproductive health (SRH) conditions. xi Conclusion: The SGBV stigmatisation process in eastern DRC is complex and rooted in the same norms that facilitate SGBV. To effectively address SGBV stigma these underlying norms need to be targeted and communities must be actively engaged. Recommendations: Continue to research the perspectives of community members and leaders on SGBV survivor stigmatisation. Actively engage community leaders and men in anti-stigma intervention programme development and delivery.
Organization:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute , VU - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Institute:
KIT (Royal Tropical Institute)
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Training:
Master of Science in International Health
Category:
Research
Right:
@ 2021 Jacobson
Document type:
Thesis/dissertation
File:
eXff3fOKVD_2023050916010488.pdf