You may have seen recent news about conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The M23 rebel group has intensified its attacks in Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu, DRC.
Thousands of residents have fled the city. Water and food are becoming scarce. Electricity has been cut. The airport is closed and other routes to safety have been blocked. Fear sweeps through the city. And while international headlines often portray DRC as a place of perpetual conflict, the reality is far more complex.
Beni, where our NYOTA program is based, is about 150 miles north of Goma. While there is no immediate danger in Beni, the effects of the violence in Goma—displacement, economic disruption, and emotional distress—are real.
NYOTA cohort members and staff at our partner organization, the Université Chrétienne Bilingue du Congo (UCBC), are experiencing the impact firsthand. They have family and friends who have been forced to flee or are sheltering in place. They have colleagues working in medical and social services organizations to provide what aid they can to the wounded and displaced.
This crisis underscores the importance of NYOTA.
Women are disproportionately affected by conflict. They face increased risks of violence, displacement, and economic instability. At the same time, they influence positive outcomes of peace processes when they are seated at the negotiating table. Peace agreements are more likely to last when women are part of the deliberation process.
Leadership is not just about professional development. It’s about standing firm in uncertainty, stopping into the fray, making wise and difficult decisions, supporting one another in difficult times, and seeking a common and greater good.
NYOTA graduates may not be at the peace negotiating tables right now. They are leading where they can. They continue to advocate for domestic workers, care for prisoners, and rescue children from captivity. Yesterday, Jeannette Longhi encouraged NYOTA cohort members to speak at the upcoming webinar, “Resilience and Peace in Times of Conflict.”
And that’s why NYOTA exists.
Please hold in your heart NYOTA graduates, our next NYOTA cohort, our UCBC partners, and all those affected by the violence in Goma. Please pray for their protection and for peace in the region.
Caption for featured photo: Left—Marie at work, boarding a UN flight. Upper Right—NYOTA members planning local girls clubs. Lower Right—Jeannette speaking to school girls about their leadership potential.
Map of Eastern DRC with Beni in small red circle and Goma in larger Red Circle