When you support Lutheran World Relief, you go the distance to help people who need it most. Sometimes, a person is not hard to reach because of miles or other physical barriers. It’s because the cultural systems where they live make it hard for them to get the help they need to thrive.
For women, the Democratic Republic of Congo is one such place. Girls are less likely than boys to attend school or learn to read. The risks of dying during pregnancy or childbirth are high. The risks of enduring domestic violence or rape are even higher.
Eventina Kahuranyi will tell you. For years, her husband was abusive and unsupportive. “He would spend his money with his friends,” she recalls. “He would buy beer and not rice.” She would prepare food for him at mealtimes, and he would eat it alone. There wasn’t enough for her to eat, too.
But Eventina had no power to speak up or leave. Even if she had the money, it would mean risking her life.
“In the DRC and many other places, there is immense stigma for a woman who leaves her husband,” explains Noshaba Zafar, Lutheran World Relief’s expert in women’s empowerment. “She will be more vulnerable than ever. Before, she was fighting against one man inside her home. If she leaves, she will be vulnerable to violence from everyone. She won't even know which direction the attack may come from.”
And so — like generations of women before her — Eventina tried to ignore the hunger in her body. But feeling trapped, alone and worthless was unbearable.
You are hope: solutions for stopping violence against women
In hard-to-reach communities in eastern Congo where violence against women* is far too common, your compassion provides:
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Urgent medical care for those who have been physically or sexually abused.
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Psychosocial counseling to help survivors process their trauma and find healing.
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Expert legal support so they can obtain justice.
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Opportunities to learn new skills, start their own businesses and gain financial independence.
With this holistic approach, you surround them with love when they need it most — and empower them to take their future into their own strong, capable hands.
How microloans help women
You changed Eventina’s life when she joined a village savings and loan association (VSLA), organized by Lutheran World Relief.
A VSLA is a group of women (and sometimes men) who meet weekly to learn business skills and contribute small amounts of money to a common fund. Once her participation is established, each group member can take out microloans from the fund to start their own small businesses or meet household needs.
When Eventina took out her first loan, she bought sheet metal to fix her home’s leaky roof, plus a baby goat and pig to raise and sell. Since then, she has created even more opportunities to generate income.
“I eat well now,” she says, smiling. “I am self-sufficient, and my husband respects me now.”
Engaging men to stop violence against women
When asked how Eventina’s husband was able to change his mindset, Noshaba Zafar explains that Eventina was not the only one you helped to learn new skills.
“An important part of our work is to engage the men,” she says. “We work with local community and religious leaders to identify the traditional customs and practices that are harmful. We teach men that violence or abuse is not something that only affects women. It affects the whole family, and even the physical and mental health of the men themselves.”
She explains that men are often raised to believe masculinity means being strong, violent and domineering. Today, they are learning how families become healthier and happier when men are supportive, protective and engaged in family life.
While this kind of change takes time, your impact is truly transformational: Violence decreases. Families experience more peace. More children can go to school. Women are healthier. And the list goes on.
Thank you for empowering women so that they — along with their husbands, children and communities — can thrive!
Until your love reaches every neighbor.
*Although the majority of survivors of sexual and domestic violence, especially those who seek treatment, are women, men also endure such violence. Your kindness supports their healing, too.
