CASE STUDY - DRC

Question 1

background info

Answer 1

• DRC is located in central Africa and 2nd largest country on continent
• Despite being rich in natural resources - face extreme poverty, conflict and weak governance which severely limits its development

Question 2

human rights issues –> poverty, healthcare, education, conflict, economic exploitation

Answer 2

POVERTY
- 73% population live in $1.90/day or less
- very low GDP per capita

HEALTHCARE
- high maternal mortality: 693/100,000 live births.
- High infant mortality: 72/1000 live births.
- Malnutrition and food insecurity widespread.
- Limited access to clean water and sanitation.

EDUCATION
- 35% of 15-24 year old women are literate.

CONFLICT
- forced recruitment of child soldiers
- internal conflict –> IDPs + refugees, ppl fleeing homes and being displaced

ECONOMIC EXPLOITATION
- dangerous mining conditions
- unfair prices offered by traders
- under paid and exploited
- increasing demand for global copper and cobalt

Question 3

global gov strategies

Answer 3

1. UN Stabilization Mission (MONUSCO) - protects civilians, humanitarian personnel, human rights defenders, supports DRC gov in peace consolidation
2. NGO interventions:
   - ActionAid: agriculture tools, seeds, training
   - CARE: reduces mortality, strengthens gov, promotes gender equality
   - USAID: funds development programmes, supports small scale farmers
3. International initiatives:
   - UN + AfricanUnion: peace and security treaties
   - UN + Civil Society: implementation of 17 SDGs (sustainable development goals)
   - World Bank Groups: aims to improve living standards eg education access, forest management, food security, etc

Question 4

opportunities for STABILITY

Answer 4

• jan 2019 new president elected - peaceful transferral of power for first time in DRC history
• UN + African Union established peace, security, HR treaties available for gov to sign to prevent conflict

Question 5

opportunities for GROWTH

Answer 5

• potential to become rich - mineral resources - gold, diamonds, oil, copper, cobalt (used in phone batteries)
• increase in global demand for cobalt driven recent growth by 6.5% 2024
• UN stabilising - more service industries used to stimulate economic growth
• NGOs promote economic growth at local scale - training and employment in agriculture and grassroot women’s organisation

Question 6

opportunities for DEVELOPMENT

Answer 6

• HDI improved to 0.481
• UN implemented 17 SDGs within the 2030 agenda for sustainable development goals
• World Bank Groups: aims to improve living standards eg education access, forest management, food security, etc

Question 7

challenges of inequality

Answer 7

• Sex trafficking, forced labour, domestic violence to girls of all ages
• 50% of women aged 15-24 are illiterate - needs to improve education
• Total fertility rate is 5.9 - very high - needs for women to be empowered to control family size.
• Lack of women participating in political decisions at national and local scales
• High IMR 68.2/1000 live births
  High MMR 473/100,000 live births

Question 8

challenges of injustice

Answer 8

POLITICS
* need to strengthen rule of law for democracy
* Support independent and effective judiciary
* Preserve rights of IDPs and returning refugees
* Ensure justice for victims of inequality, trafficking and forced labour

SOCIAL
- Protection needed for children orphaned or separated from their parents
- 74% of the population live in extreme poverty in less than $1.90 a day - dangerous working conditions, and exploited by traders offering unfair prices