Global Reach

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is, by area, the second largest country in Central Africa and the fourth most populous country in Africa, with an estimated population of over 116.4 million people. The population is very young and growing at roughly 3.2% a year.

The modern contraceptive prevalence rate for all women ages 15 to 49 is estimated at 19%. The maternal mortality ratio has improved significantly down to 427 deaths per 100,000 live births. However, gender-based violence remains an endemic crisis, with more than 56% of women experiencing physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, a problem severely worsening in eastern conflict zones.

Our Work in DRC

Since 2008, EngenderHealth has worked in the DRC to improve and expand the availability of high-quality sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) information and services so that all people—particularly women and girls—have equal access. Through our work, we aim to ensure that health systems and other institutions provide high-quality, gender-equitable sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services and that policies, laws, and processes promote gender equality and support SRHR.

Through the Strengthening Data Collection and Management Systems on DMPA-SC Self-Injection in the Democratic Republic of the Congo project, EngenderHealth is supporting stronger family planning data systems across two health zones and 50 public health facilities in Kwango province. With support from the Clinton Health Access Initiative’s Catalytic Opportunity Fund, and in partnership with the International Youth Alliance for Family Planning RDC and the Ministry of Health, the project is improving how DMPA-SC self-injection services are recorded while building community awareness of self-injection as a discreet, convenient contraceptive option.

EngenderHealth’s Previous Work in DRC

The MOMENTUM Safe Surgery in Family Planning and Obstetrics program built on and expanded our decades-long work and leadership in identifying and addressing the causes of obstetric fistulas through our Fistula Care and Fistula Care Plus programs. In the DRC, the program worked to increase the ability of Congolese institutions to provide safe surgical obstetric care, including the prevention and treatment of obstetric fistula. The program also aimed to expand access to quality FP care, including FP counseling, postpartum FP, and services for long-acting reversible contraceptives and permanent methods.

EngenderHealth also worked with the Ministry of Health in the DRC and partners Humana People to People and Le Réseau des Educateurs des Enfants et Jeunes de la Rue (REEJER) to scale up the integration of postpartum family planning (FP) through our ExpandFP II program. In collaboration with the ministry, we integrated postpartum FP across 15 facilities in Kinshasa. We used lessons learned throughout our work enhancing postpartum FP service at the facility level to strengthen national systems.

There are more than 25,000 street children in the city of Kinshasa, which is home to over 12 million people, according to UNICEF. Through our Supporting Street Children in Kinshasa during COVID-19 program, we partnered with REEJER and its network of more than 160 members to provide food, healthcare, shelter, and access to SGBV care services to young people living on the streets.