1. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
IMARA- WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
FOUNDATION|IWEF
Non Gouvernemental Organisation | NGO
concept Note | 2015
« By making scintillate our light, we offer the others the opportunity to do so»

2. -Nelson Mandela
Table of Content
I.Introduction..................................................................................................................................................... 3
1.Name.................................................................................................................................................................. 5
2.The logo............................................................................................................................................................ 5
3.Problem statement and target groups.................................................................................................... 7
II.The vision of IWEF........................................................................................................................................ 9
III.The mission of IWEF................................................................................................................................... 9
IV.Specific objectives of IWEF........................................................................................................................ 9
V.Coverage ....................................................................................................................................................... 11
VI.Partners........................................................................................................................................................ 11
VII.Sources of fund......................................................................................................................................... 11
VIII.IWEF‘s Structure .................................................................................................................................... 12
IX.Working Documents ................................................................................................................................ 12
X.IWEF’s Values............................................................................................................................................... 12
XI.Bibliography................................................................................................................................................ 14
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3. I. Introduction
The current situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is in a context
inherited from his recent past enameled from recurring political and military conflicts
and whose consequences have completely destabilized the country, undermining socio-
economic fabric and thus obstructing the development (1-4).
Indeed, the DRC is one of the few countries worldwide with enormous natural resources
but where the population lives in extreme poverty (5.6); countries with a well
established legal arsenal but where we find unprecedented inequalities (inequities) (7-
9).
For over two decades, the country is plagued by rebellions that have plunged it into
chaos resulting in psycho-social trauma with the emergence of the culture of violence,
and the woman is the first victim: the latter was kidnapped, raped and abused,
mutilated, made a sex slave, buried alive and burned alive, abandoned by her family,
rejected by society, away from the school bench, used as a weapon of war; to name a few
(10-14). Hence, the American Journal of Public Heath, reported in 2011 in the
Democratic Republic of Congo, 48 women are raped every hour (15, 16).
On top of that, many of these women victims of violence have cowered to themselves
despite all the evils they continue to suffer for fear of being pointed out by the society
and thus be exposed to blame, humiliation, stigmatization or even rejection by their
own family. This has the consequence that these women who will receive no assistance
because their situation is unknown by stakeholders in this area (13, 17).
Altogether, the problems seem to persist for her, even amplify because certain traditions
and customs do not argue in her favor. Despite some progress toward the improvement
of their living conditions, Congolese woman remained simple housewife, the illiterate,
the maker of children, muzzled and often without any decision making power at all
instances (18-20). Therefore, she hardly survives the consequences of being born a
woman, having been raped and living with HIV in a country where patriarchal norms
dominate; Impunity is widespread and justice does not reassure (21).
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4. It is evident that much more effort should be made to assist and encourage Congolese
women to stand up and take charge in this environment that tends to make her even
more vulnerable.
It is based on this sad fact and experience of her own life that Miss Viviane Furaha
would, through the activities of the association Imara Women Empowerment
Foundation (IWEF) of which she is the initiator, bring Congolese women to face,
firmly and decisively these challenges.
Indeed, Viviane Furaha at younger age endured various injustices and gender-based
violence with all the consequences that one can imagine. These affected her physical
health and psychological wellbeing as well as her socioeconomic empowerment,
inspired by the courage and determination of many other women around the world who
have had similar traumas, she was able to overcome all kinds of hardships and restore
meaning to her life while remaining firm and positive.
A determined woman, Viviane is driven by a strong passion to help other Congolese
women to transform their vulnerability into assets, to move from the position of a
victim to victorious to become active members of the society; a stable society where
their human rights are respected.
The other great scourge that continues to corrupt Congolese society is the inequalities
between men and women. Indeed, women in DRC have always been manipulated for
political and economic purposes; certain customary traditions and practices continue to
reinforce these inequalities.
Concrete actions and initiatives are imperative to help Congolese women to be aware of
the scope of their rights and the different means to claim them; because we can not
consider the emergence of the DRC without the involvement of women.
It is in this light that Herbert P. M'Cleod, proposes to construct in the Democratic
Republic of Congo: "a really new society acquired the production and equitable
distribution of wealth in peace, security and strict compliance of human rights and
human dignity " (22).
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5. As in other lands, the potentialities that abound Congolese women are an abundant
wealth that should be in full use for the reconstruction of the society to the emergence of
this great country.
Hence the creation of the Non Governmental Organization (NGO) Imara-Women
Empowerment Foundation (IWEF in acronym). It is given itself as workhorse to
advocate for the above mentioned causes, hoping that the efforts of all gathered will
contribute to giving back to thousands of vulnerable women the joy of living.
1. Name
IMARA-WOMEN EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION (IWEF in acronym) means
an association for the Empowerment of Women
The brand name of this association is "Imara".
From Swahili language, "Imara" means stable. Inspired from the Swahili saying
"Simama Imara" which means "Stay Firm, Strong, and dynamic".
IWEF is a nonprofit organization with unlimited duration, created by individuals with
a common vision and shared objectives.
2. The logo
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6. The symbols
The image of three women holding hands represents the values of solidarity and
partnership that advocate IWEF.
The two bars (Equal sign) below 3 women holding the hands represent the workhorse
of IWEF to advocate for equal human beings regardless of their gender, their age, their
origins.
The colors
BLEU: Color of the sky and the sea that are expanding horizons, for IWEF, it
represents the dream, wisdom and peace.
IWEF will work and ensure that the broken dream of the vulnerable woman will be
restored in a climate of peace based on the wisdom of all the people involved in the
process of sustainable development of women.
RED: Color that represents energy, strength, power, persistence, struggle and
dynamism, values important to the socio-economic development of women.
The red also symbolizes the prohibition of any act of violation of human rights
GREEN : The most prevalent color in the nature. For IWEF, green represents hope and
stability.
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7. We hope that through IWEF’s projects, women will have access to greater stability with
the hope of a better future that will allow them to positively face the reality of their lives.
3. Problem statement and target groups
The specific problems that justify the creation of the NGO IWEF are those related to
women and girls at risk including:
• Women and girls living in extreme poverty
• Women and girls survivors of sexual violence
• Women and girls living with HIV
• Women and girls living in rural and remote area
• Women and girls with disabilities
• Single mothers rejected by their families
• Illiterate women
• Women and girls homeless
These women and girls are the target groups or beneficiaries of IWEF’s actions.
Country Overview
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8. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a country with vast resources. Its
surface area of 2.3 million square kilometres spans the equivalent of two-thirds of the
European Union. Fewer than 40% of the nearly 70 million inhabitants live in urban
areas, according to the latest NSI (National Statistics Institute) estimates. With 80
million hectares of arable land and over 1,100 minerals and precious metals, the DRC
has the potential to be one of the richest countries on the African continent and a driver
of African growth.
Social Context
Despite an impressive economic growth rate and a reduction in the poverty rate from
71% in 2005 to 63% in 2012, the poverty rate remains high in the DRC. The country
ranks second to last on the Human Development Index (186 out of 187 countries), and
its per capita income, which stood at $220 in 2012, is among the lowest in the world.
The United Nations estimates that there are some 2.3 million displaced persons and
refugees in the country and 323,000 DRC nationals living in refugee camps outside the
country. A humanitarian emergency persists in the more unstable parts of the DRC and
sexual violence rates remain high.
Population 69.3 million 2014
GDP $32.9 billion 2014
GDP growth 9.0% 2014
Inflation 1.6% 2013
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9. II. The vision of IWEF
IWEF vision is to give the opportunity for sustainable development to vulnerable
women through enjoyment of their full human rights in dignity
III. The mission of IWEF
The purpose of IWEF is to improve the living conditions of vulnerable women by
ensuring that they enjoy all their rights (social, economic, cultural ...) essential to their
dignity, empowerment and the free development of their personality.
IV. Specific objectives of IWEF
To achieve its mission IMARA-Women Empowerment Foundation has set the following
specific objectives:
1. To advocate for the promotion of gender equality and defend the fundamental human
rights of women
2. To fight against poverty and contribute to socio-economic empowerment of women
by encouraging female entrepreneurship and enhancing their abilities to contribute to
the integral development of society through greater participation in decision-making
bodies and implementation of income generating projects, agro-pastoral activities and
environmental protection
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10. 3. To fight against sexual violence and other forms of gender based violence and
promote respect for the integrity of women and safety in all areas of life.
4. To uphold equal opportunities regarding access to education and employment for
women in general and the girl in particular, to contribute building their capacity useful
for them to become active members of society; and to promote the participation of
women in science, technology, and innovation in all areas of life.
5. To promote the right to health for all, especially defend the sexual and reproductive
rights of women; fight against epidemics and pandemics (HIV, malaria, tuberculosis ...)
by facilitating women access to necessary health information and advocating for
approaches adapted to the specificities of women.
6. To advocate for improvement of legal texts guaranteeing gender equality and ensure
continuous monitoring in their implementation; and advocate for compensation for
damage caused to vulnerable women in order to rehabilitate their rights. To do this,
IWEF will vulgarize the laws on human rights of women, educate and raise awareness
among vulnerable women in relation to their legal rights and assist in their claim and
defense.
7. To encourage men and boys involvement in actions to promote gender equality by
engaging them in activities and interventions of IWEF
8. To initiate and support research projects that will guide planning decisions and
advocacy in favor of women.
9. To work with the government and other local, regional, national and international
organization commit to gender equality and promotion of women empowerment
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11. V. Coverage
The activities of IMARA-Women Empowerment Foundation will cover the entire extent
of the DRC starting with the province of South Kivu province and the city of Kinshasa.
VI. Partners
IWEF plans to enter into partnerships with local and international organizations
working in the scope of activity of its objectives.
Locally, IWEF will work with government institutions, other local organizations and the
private sector.
Internationally, IWEF will network and enter into coalition with regional and
international organizations engaged in the defense and promotion of the human rights
of women as well as with United Nation agencies.
VII. Sources of fund
The financial resources come from contributions of members, donations of third
parties, endowment and support from funding agencies for the proposed projects. Any
donation from private or public institution, provided of lawful source, will be accepted.
The annual contributions of members are determined by the general assembly.
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12. VIII. IWEF‘s Structure
IWEF is structured as follows: the General Assembly, the Board of Directors,
Monitoring and Control Commission (internal auditor), the body in charge of ethics and
conflict resolution, and the executive management. Details on the organization chart
and job descriptions will be available in the Administrative and Financial Procedure
Manual.
IX. Working Documents
To effectively and efficiently launch its activities, the following working documents are
of great importance for IWEF: 3 or 5-year strategic plan, annual work plan, the
procedure manual, the Constitution (Status) and internal regulations.
Subject to availability of resources, other working documents should be developed:
advocacy and resources mobilization strategy, communication strategy (IWEF website
and leaflet design).
X. IWEF’s Values
Organizational values, as long as they are well known, integrated and shared, have an
impact on the ways of being and acting of staff, recipients and partners, reflected both
inside and outside organization wellbeing. IWEF’s values come support and enhance
the performance of its mission.
On the other hand, the trust of stakeholders is without doubt the fundamental basis and
purpose of ethical behavior. In this context, it is essential to communicate throughout
our organization and with our partners, clear objectives of ethics.
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13. 1) Participation and partnership at the local level: IWEF believes that programs
are better designed, implemented and monitored and evaluated by those who are
directly affected. Its partnership approach with local and international organizations is
to ensure that the projects it supports meet the perceived needs of the recipients.
2) Excellence in its programs: IWEF wants to be excellent in his work, encourage
lifelong learning of its members and promote internationally accepted standards of
"best practices" in its projects
3) Integrity: IWEF is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity. It
will seek to do what is morally right in all circumstances and be truthful in its relation
with others.
4) Respect: Respect for others is the fundamental attitude regarding the target groups,
partners, donors, colleagues and all parties concerned. Respect means respecting
opinions of others, in a completely tolerant manner. IWEF also insists that its members,
staff and partners themselves respect women's rights.
5) Empowerment and Sustainability: IWEF will ensure continuous impartment of
skills to women to be directly involved in the sustainable development of their
communities and in all decisions affecting their lives. The beneficiaries of the IWEF
programs will be part of the implementation of its projects.
6) Pragmatism: IWEF will always be practical in the orientation of its objectives
7) Reciprocity: IWEF is liable in relation to the beneficiaries and not exposed
survivors in situations that are unsafe.
8) Transparency: In conjunction with partners, beneficiaries and IWEF’s external
communication focuses on transparency, basis of mutual trust. IWEF must send
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14. accurate , comprehensive information and above all validated with relevant
stakeholders, in all their dimensions.
XI. Bibliography
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3. Orogun PS. Crisis of Government, Ethnic Schisms, Civil War, and Regional
Destabilization of the Democratic Republic of Congo. World Affairs. 2002. p. 25.
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droits de l’homme et du droit international humanitaire commises entre mars
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