Commission Diocésaine Justice et Paix

The Commission Diocésaine Justice et Paix (CDJP-Uvira), or Diocesan Commission for Justice and Peace in English, is a specialized pastoral structure of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Uvira, located in Kalundu, Uvira, in the South Kivu province of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.^[1][2] Established on 19 February 2003, the commission is dedicated to promoting human rights, facilitating reconciliation, and building sustainable peace across the region.^[2][3] Operating through 18 parishes within the Diocese of Uvira, CDJP-Uvira seeks to raise awareness among diverse social actors regarding their collective responsibility in advancing peace and justice.^[2][3] Its inclusive approach ensures that no individual or group is excluded from its initiatives.^[2][3]

The Commission Diocésaine Justice et Paix (CDJP-Uvira) was officially established on 19 February 2003 in response to the widespread human rights violations and social injustices affecting the population of the Diocese of Uvira.^[2][3] The creation of this ecclesial structure followed a thoroughgoing analysis of the deteriorating human rights situation, which had also been aggravated by the ongoing Kivu conflict, the absence of credible human rights organizations, and a general lack of awareness, among the population and public authorities, regarding fundamental rights, freedoms, and civic responsibilities.^[3] From its inception, CDJP-Uvira has prioritized the training of human rights facilitators, who serve as key agents in promoting justice, peace, and reconciliation at the community level across the diocese's 18 parishes.^[3]

CDJP-Uvira carries out a wide array of programs and interventions to empower communities and promote a culture of peace and justice. These include:^[3]

With a focus on promoting human dignity and protecting at-risk communities, the CDJP-Uvira strategy incorporates community participation, survivor support services, and legal advocacy to address the causes and impacts of sexual violence. It organizes focused training and awareness programs for different social groups, including traditional chiefs, religious leaders, and community figures, to challenge harmful cultural practices and promote a zero-tolerance approach to sexual abuse.^[4] These sensitization efforts utilize diverse, culturally relevant methods like community theater, cultural events, radio broadcasts, and public posters to ensure widespread reach and accessibility of the message.^[4]

CDJP-Uvira has Bureaux d'Écoute (Listening Offices) in parishes such as Baraka, Kiliba, and Kamituga, which serve as safe and confidential spaces for survivors of sexual violence to be heard, supported, and guided through the healing process.^[4] Each office is staffed by trained psychosocial workers who provide initial trauma support, psychological care, and referrals to partner health centers for medical treatment. Survivors may also receive assistance in the form of Activités Génératrices de Revenus (AGR), enabling their socio-economic reintegration.^[4] The psychosocial workers, who receive specialized training and supervision from qualified psychologists, are selected based on their empathy, discretion, patience, and ability to communicate effectively without judgment. Their responsibilities stretch beyond immediate care to include community outreach.^[4] They travel to remote villages across the diocese, educating residents about the legal implications of sexual violence and encouraging victims to come forward and report abuse.^[4] This grassroots mobilization has led to an increased number of survivors denouncing perpetrators and a growing public awareness of sexual violence as a social injustice.^[4]

CDJP-Uvira also relies on a network of trained volunteers who actively participate in prevention campaigns and educational initiatives. To strengthen the role of women in these efforts, the organization established three synergies des mamans (women's advocacy groups) in Uvira, Baraka, and Kamituga.^[4] These groups focus on raising awareness about HIV/AIDS and violence against women, promoting solidarity, and empowering women as agents of change within their communities.^[4] The fight against sexual violence by CDJP-Uvira is supported by international partners like the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) and Mensen met een Missie (MM).^[4]