On March 8th, in celebration of International Women’s Day, over 1,500 women gathered in the streets of Paoua. The city situated in the tormented north-western quarter of the Central African Republic had been shaken by fights between rebel and government forces and by population movements. But on this particular day of celebration, internally displaced women, along with women coming from many surrounding villages, paraded along the crowded city streets, carrying the slogan: “invest in girls and women”.

After the parade, Marie Noudjougoto from one of Paoua’s Farmers Organizations spoke in the name of all present women, when she said: “Show your faith in women by bringing us peace and security on the way to the market, to school, to the fields, to water sources, to health centres and to hospitals. So that our sisters, our daughters who have been raped, brutalised, traumatised and bereaved can find peace of mind and can hope to become women, mothers and grand-mothers.”

CAR women exposed to gender violence

Central African women have paid, and continue to pay, the high price of years of violence. In spite of a recent lull in the battle between the rebels and the government forces, bandits are still attacking the population. In the country’s most chaotic areas, the lack of security is increasing the number of criminal acts. Last month for instance, several cases of rapes were reported on young girls between twelve and thirteen years old. Read related article

The organization of the celebrations in Paoua was supported by NGOs working in Paoua, including the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), Première Urgence and the United Nations agencies.

For more information please contact

Nancy Snauwaert
UN OCHA Bangui
snauwaert@un.org