Solange Lwashiga Furaha

Solange Lwashiga Furaha works to amplify women’s voices around the decision-making tables – and peace tables – of the Democratic Republic of Congo.  She is a formidable activist with many years of experience advocating for women with the South Kivu Congolese Women’s Caucus for Peace and the Congolese campaign ‘Rien Sans Les Femmes‘  (@RienSlesFemmes ) whose objective is equal representation of women and men at decision-making levels in the DRC.

The Caucus brings together female leaders across eight districts in South Kivu to demand the Congo respect its gender-specific national and international commitments, particularly UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. The Caucus also calls on the international community to urge the Congolese government to protect and restore women’s rights in political participation.

Her ongoing work urges African governments and institutions to address the use of violence and rape as a tool against women during conflict.