Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Women's Tribunal:  Gender and Climate Justice:  DRC

Date:  October 17, 2011

Location:  Kamitgua

Organizers:  Lutte Nationale Contre La Puuvrete (Lunacop)

November 10, 2011

The hearing is ongoing. We have the following personalities as members of the jury

·         Judge MUTENDELA

·         Mr. LUSOLO LIMA

·         Madam Lucie MATUZA

Testimonies are being received from the following women.

·         Madam Clarice WABILINDILA

·         Madam Agibertine LUSASA

·         Madam MAPENZI MAZAMBI

DR Congo shelters 60% of the global of forests of the Congo basin. Millions of Congolese (or 60 millions that make the population of DR Congo) depend on forest for their cultural and physical living. According to FAO, the rate of deforestation in DR Congo was of about 0.6% in 1997 and of 0.3% in 2006. In the East of DR Congo, more precisely in the mining city of Kamituga in South Kivu Province, mining has greatly contributed to deforestation – depleting the forest cover and diminishing the agricultural productivity of the region due to erosion of soil. Women walk long distances in search of fertile grounds, cultivable space or firewood.

The Women’s Hearing provides an opportunity for rural women to call out to local and world leaders on the danger that climate change presents in their area, while also showing that they are not merely victims but also key agenda in search of solutions to climate attenuation and adaptation. The Hearing will take place on 17 October in Kamitgua, DRC.

For more information, contact Rosa Lizarde, Global Coordinator, Feminist Task Force at <rosaencasa@aol.com>

The Feminist Task Force was established under the umbrella of the Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) in March, 2005, emphasizing gender equality as central to poverty eradication.