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STORY: UNFPA / CAR MBOKO LANDJA SAFE SPACES
TRT: 04:43
SOURCE: UNFPA
RESTRICTIONS: PLEASE CREDIT UNFPA ON SCREEN
LANGUAGE: FRENCH / SANGO / NATS
DATELINE: 10 DECEMBER 2024, MBOKO LANDJA VILLAGE, BANGUI, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
1. Wide shot, women gathering under grass roof
2. Wide shot, grass roof shelters at centre
3. Med shot, woman sings and dances with other women
4. Med shot, women singing
5. Wide shot, women at village centre
6. Wide shot, women sitting under roof at centre
7. Wide shot, women singing.
8. Med shot, women singing.
9. Wide shot, women doing traditional dance
10. Close up, women’s feet doing traditional dance
11. Wide shot, women dancing
12. Closeup, Woman with painted face
13. SOUNDBITE (Sango) Albertine Yantijba, Gender Violence Survivor:
“We, the women, suffered a lot before the safe space was established. Since the safe space was established, there has been a lot of evolution and assistance. We received a lot of help. We learned about gender-based violence. We also learned how to be a part of the society. We now have knowledge in sewing, soap and cake making. Thanks to these teachings, we, women of Mboko Landja, are now autonomous. Receiving so much help is a grace and we are happy about it. Today the safe space offers quality care to the women of Mboko Landja. They now know how to react in the community. They now have knowledge in the creation, production and sales in order to take good care of their children.”
14. Med shot, over the shoulder of woman talking to group
15. Wide shot, women listening in group
16. SOUNDBITE (Sango) Albertine Yantijba, Gender Violence Survivor:
Security is an important point that was missing in the region. This means that gender-based violence was on the rise in the region. Thanks to the space, the gender-based violence rate has decreased considerably. Ill-intentioned people don't come to disturb us here. It is a major asset for our community and a valuable resource for peace. As long as the safe space remains active, we women of Mboko Landja live in tranquillity.”
17. Close up, woman listens
18. Med shot, women listening
19. SOUNDBITE (Sango) Naomi Dakaka, Gender Violence Survivor:
“In our area, there are too many bandits and people in bad faith with unhealthy intentions, especially towards us women. Many of them subject us to gender-based violence quite often.”
20. Closeup, hand drawn GBV awareness sign
21. SOUNDBITE (Sango) Naomi Dakaka, Gender Violence Survivor:
“I stopped studying at the age of seven due to lack of means and no help to pay for school. Our father is irresponsible to me and my 12 siblings.”
22. Med shot, children leaning against fence
23. SOUNDBITE (Sango) Naomi Dakaka, Gender Violence Survivor:
“I stopped at grade two. I was 13 years old when I was forced to get pregnant. I was married too.”
24. Wide shot, group of women making food together
25. Close up, woman’s face as she rolls ball of dough
26. Close up, woman rolls ball of dough with a pair of socks
27. SOUNDBITE (Sango) Naomi Dakaka, Gender Violence Survivor:
“I had my child in January 2020, and he will be 5 years old soon. His father also abandoned me, and I am currently with my older sisters.”
28. Tilt down, two women rolling dough together
29. Close up, balls of dough
30. Wide shot, women sitting in shade
31. Close up, crafts made by women
32. Wide shot, women in front of sewing project
33. SOUNDBITE (French) Léonce Issouf Dessoula, Gender-Cased Violence (GBV) Case Manager:
“We receive a lot of cases of rape, rape of minors, and especially during this dry season period. There are also rapes of adults too. Women who go to the forest to look for wood, to look for things to eat, and they get assaulted by unknown rapists, and physical assault cases are also frequent here.”
Med shot, women playing drums.
34. Various shots, women playing drums.
35. Med shot, woman singing
In the Central African Republic, gender-based violence (GBV) has surged alarmingly, fuelled by ongoing insecurity and the devastating impacts of civil conflict. Weak and overstretched health and protection systems have left countless women and girls without the services they need to heal and rebuild their lives.
Amid this challenging context, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has stepped in with a survivor-centred response, ensuring that women and girls, including those living in internally displaced persons’ sites and host communities, have access to critical services. UNFPA provides comprehensive support, including GBV case management, medical care, and counselling services.
SOUNDBITE (Sango) Albertine Yantijba, Gender Violence Survivor:
“We, the women, suffered a lot before the safe space was established. Since the safe space was established, there has been a lot of evolution and assistance. We received a lot of help. We learned about gender-based violence. We also learned how to be a part of the society. We now have knowledge in sewing, soap and cake making. Thanks to these teachings, we, women of Mboko Landja, are now autonomous. Receiving so much help is a grace and we are happy about it. Today the safe space offers quality care to the women of Mboko Landja. They now know how to react in the community. They now have knowledge in the creation, production and sales in order to take good care of their children.”
“Security is an important point that was missing in the region. This means that gender-based violence was on the rise in the region. Thanks to the space, the gender-based violence rate has decreased considerably. Ill-intentioned people don't come to disturb us here. It is a major asset for our community and a valuable resource for peace. As long as the safe space remains active, we women of Mboko Landja live in tranquillity.”
UNFPA has established 12 safe spaces for women and girls across the Central African Republic. One of these is located in Mboko Landja, a village just 9 kilometres from Bangui, the capital city. Although Mboko Landja has been deeply affected by conflict, the safe space provides a place of healing and empowerment where women and girls can find support and build resilience.
SOUNDBITE (Sango) Naomi Dakaka, Gender Violence Survivor:
“In our area, there are too many bandits and people in bad faith with unhealthy intentions, especially towards us women. Many of them subject us to gender-based violence quite often.”
“I stopped studying at the age of seven due to lack of means and no help to pay for school. Our father is irresponsible to me and my 12 siblings.”
“I stopped at grade two. I was 13 years old when I was forced to get pregnant. I was married too.”
“I had my child in January 2020, and he will be 5 years old soon. His father also abandoned me, and I am currently with my older sisters.”
Like other safe spaces, the Mboko Landja Village Safe Space serves as a first point of contact, connecting women and girls to essential services and information while offering a wider range of support tailored to their specific needs. As a hub for healing, skill-building, and income generation, it provides survivors of GBV with solidarity and companionship as they rebuild their lives.
SOUNDBITE (French) Léonce Issouf Dessoula, Gender-Cased Violence (GBV) Case Manager:
“We receive a lot of cases of rape, rape of minors, and especially during this dry season period. There are also rapes of adults too. Women who go to the forest to look for wood, to look for things to eat, and they get assaulted by unknown rapists, and physical assault cases are also frequent here.”
The centre offers skills training in soap-making, baking, and sewing, enabling women to earn an income and gain some independence. These approaches break the cycle of stigma and shame that often isolates survivors, demonstrating how safe, inclusive environments can help women process trauma and build resilience.
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