Highlights
● According to the Gender-Based Violence Information Management System (GBVIMS) data, over 22 per cent of gender-based violence (GBV) survivors in CAR are children and adolescents. This alarming finding highlights the crucial importance of providing appropriate care and adequate psychosocial support for these young survivors.
● A debate conference was held at the Marie Jeanne Caron High School in Bangui on December 6, 2024, as part of the 16 Days of Activism Campaign against Violence towards Women and Girls. Organized with the support of UNFPA and the Ministry of Gender Promotion, Family, Women, and Children, and funded by USAID, this event aimed to raise awareness among young girls about GBV and promote teachers’ engagement in fighting GBV in the school environment.
● The Minister of Gender Promotion, Dr. Marthe Augustine Kirimat, inaugurated a new UNFPA-supported safe space dedicated to women and girls in the municipality of Bimbo. This welcoming space will provide valuable support to women and girls in the community, particularly survivors of GBV.
Situation Overview
As of December 2024, over 600,000 people are displaced within the Central African Republic, making it one of the countries with the highest number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Africa. Women and girls are disproportionately affected, facing extreme conditions in displacement camps or host communities, with limited access to food, water, healthcare, and essential sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. The ongoing conflict has intensified risks of GBV, including sexual violence, forced marriages, and tracking, particularly in camps and areas controlled by armed groups. To address these challenges, UNFPA and its partners are providing critical support through awareness campaigns and safe spaces for survivors, offering protection and essential services to women and girls most in need.