DRC / UNFPA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR VISIT

STORY: DRC / UNFPA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR VISIT
TRT: 04:09
SOURCE: UNFPA
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / FRENCH / NATS

DATELINE: 12 - 18 MAY 2021, BUKAVU, EASTERN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO (DRC)

SHOTLIST:

1. Med shot, UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem gets off the helicopter
2. Wide shot, UN vehicles leaving
3. Wide shot, exterior of Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, DRC
4. Med shot, Dr. Natalia Kanem meets with Dr. Denis Mukwege, Nobel Peace Prize Winner and director of Panzi Hospital.
5. SOUNDBITE (French) Dr. Denis Mukwege, Director, Panzi Hospital:
“When you see the strength, courage, hope that carry these women after having suffered the most horrible violence, indescribable atrocities, and they continue to fight, to claim their joy, to claim their rights. And also, the liveliness with which they express their joy and claim their rights. These women impress me a lot.”
6. SOUNDBITE (French) Dr. Denis Mukwege, Director, Panzi Hospital:
“It is our responsibility now to support them so that they can realize their aspirations to win their freedom, be empowered to defend their rights, that they can do so in complete freedom. That is our duty.”
7. Wide shot, survivors and patients of gender-based violence meet with Kanem and Mukwege
8. Med shot, Kanem, Mukwege, and Dr. Julitta Onabanjo, UNFPA Regional Director, at the Panzi Hospital with survivors and patients of gender-based violence
9. Med shot, Kanem, Mukwege, Onabanjo, and staff of the Panzi Hospital
10. Med shot, Kanem, Mukwege, and Onabanjo at the Panzi Hospital hallway, visiting patients
11. Med shot, Kanem visiting the Panzi Hospital
12. Med shot, medicines and files at the Panzi Hospital
13. Med shot, Kanem writes congratulatory messages for staff at the Panzi Hospital
14. Close up, Kanem writes messages for staff at the Panzi Hospital
15. Med shot, Kanem, Mukwege, and Onabanjo walking at the Panzi Hospital
16. SOUNDBITE (French) Dr. Denis Mukwege, Director, Panzi Hospital:
“We hope that this collaboration will help a lot for women, not only in Congo, but in Africa and everywhere else like in Asia, where there are still problems related to maternal mortality.”
17. SOUNDBITE (English) Natalia Kanem, Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA):
“UNFPA works to defend the dignity of women and girls. We work in Congo specifically to assure that mothers don't die while giving birth. In particular. Now, I'm also very interested in how women are coping with what I call the second pandemic of gender-based violence.”
18. SOUNDBITE (English) Natalia Kanem, Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA):
“The message of UNFPA is always that, in order for us to move forward, that person has to have her dignity. She shouldn't be convinced that no one cares, because we care. And so much of the health system is caring for her.”
19. SOUNDBITE (English) Natalia Kanem, Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA):
“So UNFPA working with the Panzi Foundation, and with others in that community, are looking for ways of preventing the disaster, if you will, of fistula, of gender-based violence, of rape and conflict. So that it will no longer be necessary for us to join hands to do the work of surgical and, you know, mental repair.”
20. Med shot, Kanem receives flowers from a student from the Lycée Cirezi Catholic School
21. Wide shot, girls of Lycée Cirezi Catholic School sit in the conference room at College Alfajiri in Bukavu
22. Med shot, girls from the Lycée Cirezi Catholic School sing at College Alfajiri in Bukavu

STORYLINE:

The Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) concluded a five-day visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo this week.

The Head of the UN sexual and reproductive health agency undertook the mission to galvanize solidarity for the people in the country, with a special focus on women and girls.

During her visit, Kanem met with government officials, UN partners, and representatives of Government and civil society. She met with Nobel Laureate, Dr. Denis Mukwege, and visited his Panzi Hospital to see the wards for survivors of sexual violence.

SOUNDBITE (French) Dr. Denis Mukwege, Director, Panzi Hospital:
“When you see the strength, courage, hope that carry these women after having suffered the most horrible violence, indescribable atrocities, and they continue to fight, to claim their joy, to claim their rights. And also, the liveliness with which they express their joy and claim their rights. These women impress me a lot.”

SOUNDBITE (French) Dr. Denis Mukwege, Director, Panzi Hospital:
“It is our responsibility now to support them so that they can realize their aspirations to win their freedom, be empowered to defend their rights, that they can do so in complete freedom. That is our duty.”

SOUNDBITE (French) Dr. Denis Mukwege, Director, Panzi Hospital:
“We hope that this collaboration will help a lot for women, not only in Congo, but in Africa and everywhere else like in Asia, where there are still problems related to maternal mortality.”

UNFPA and Panzi Foundation signed a Letter of Intent to Partner for future partnership and collaboration on prevention of sexual violence / GBV, fight against impunity for perpetrators of GBV, sharing of technical expertise on holistic care for survivors including psychosocial support, data and information management and socioeconomic reintegration of victims, and capacity development for both partners.

As a champion against gender-based violence, and sexual exploitation and abuse, Kanem met with community women in Bukavu, and heard their harrowing stories of violence and exploitation. She listened as they spoke and as they recommended actions to be taken to ensure protection and justice.

SOUNDBITE (English) Natalia Kanem, Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA):
“UNFPA works to defend the dignity of women and girls. We work in Congo specifically to assure that mothers don't die while giving birth. In particular. Now, I'm also very interested in how women are coping with what I call the second pandemic of gender-based violence.”

SOUNDBITE (English) Natalia Kanem, Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA):
“The message of UNFPA is always that, in order for us to move forward, that person has to have her dignity. She shouldn't be convinced that no one cares, because we care. And so much of the health system is caring for her.”

SOUNDBITE (English) Natalia Kanem, Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA):
“So UNFPA working with the Panzi Foundation, and with others in that community, are looking for ways of preventing the disaster, if you will, of fistula, of gender-based violence, of rape and conflict. So that it will no longer be necessary for us to join hands to do the work of surgical and, you know, mental repair.”

The UN official relayed their recommendations to the top UN Officials in the country to take action to uphold the rights, safety and dignity of women and girls in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

She called on the international community to support the economic and social development, humanitarian action, and peacebuilding in the country.