Christiane Binja at the youth centre hosting a summit on web activism. Image: Kait Bolongaro
Armed with their laptops, a few women were scattered among the male participants at the summit in the provincial capital of Goma, near the Rwandan border. Held at the Yolé Africa youth centre, the gathering brought together young leaders from across eastern Congo, including activists Ley Uwera and Passy Mubalama.Uwera, a photojournalist using Instagram to change how the world sees eastern Congo, said her gender is a liability when she works, especially in rural areas. The 26-year-old recently got lost in an armed group's territory while working."There are some places you can't go as a woman," she explained. "Rape is only one of the threats—you can also be kidnapped.""Congolese women need to know their rights so they can defend themselves better"
Blogger Passy Mubalama wants authorities to address gender equality issues that continue to harm women in North Kivu. Image: Kait Bolongaro
Nestled on the shores of Lake Kivu, Goma is home to one million people, many of them displaced during the conflict. Image: Kait Bolongaro
As Ley Uwera's social media activity becomes more prominent, she admitted that she is concerned for her safety."I'm scared sometimes, but I have to keep going," she explained. "If [activists] give up, we are leaving room for North Kivu to take a negative step back.""Women are still viewed as second-class citizens in Congo, and those who get involved in politics face constant harassment."
Despite its mineral wealth, the Democratic Republic of the Congo remains one of the poorest countries in the world. Image: Kait Bolongaro