Observation of values relating to positive masculinity recommended for an environment free of GBV

Mbuji-Mayi,  April 18^th; 2025 (CPA) – Observation of values relating to positive masculinity was recommended for an environment free of gender-based violence (GBV), at a meeting on Thursday in Mbuji-Mayi, capital of Kasai Oriental, in the center of the Democratic Republic of Congo. On this black Thursday, which coincides with the commemoration of the institution of the Eucharist by Jesus Christ, I call on the local communities (? ) and all stakeholders in the Connectivity and Transport Support Project (PACT), to observe the values of positive masculinity in order to build an environment free of gender-based violence (GBV), sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and sexual harassment (HS) », said Dr Placide Mbuyi, head of mission at the Association pour le bien-être familial et naissances désirables (ABEF-ND) (Association for family well-being and desirable births). Carlin Vese, an expert in community involvement, stressed the importance of community mobilization in promoting positive masculinity. ‘Community mobilization is very important if men and boys are to become actively involved in promoting positive masculinity,’ he said.  ‘The ’Positive Masculinity‘ approach aims to deconstruct gender stereotypes and foster egalitarian relationships, by contributing to the prevention of GBV’, he has added, before expressing the hope that this Thursday in Black will pave the way for a renewed commitment to a positive environment, free from GBV, SEA and SGBV. The ‘Thursdays in Black’ campaign, which originated during the ecumenical decade of churches in solidarity with women (1988-1998), proclaimed by the World Council of Churches (WCC), highlights the resilience, action and personal efforts of women to resist rape as a weapon of war, gender injustice and abuse and violence against women. In the DRC, this campaign has been adopted by several civil society organizations (CSOs) to denounce and fight against all forms of GBV. ACP/