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Kinshasa: Difference between revisions
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'''OVERVIEW''' | '''OVERVIEW''' | ||
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a diverse country with over 200 ethnic groups. The majority of the people are Bantu, and French is the official language. In terms of religion, 30% of the country is Roman Catholic and 27% are Protestant. Many of the people in the DRC live in poverty, despite the rich natural resources of the country. There is a large refugee population, including DRC citizens who have been internally displaced and refugees from other countries, such as Rwanda, the Central African Republic, and Burundi. The majority of the population is young, with about 46% between 0-14 years old, 20% between 15-24 years old, and 28% between 25-54 years old. Less than 10% of the population is over 55 years old, as of 2020.<ref name=ciaworldfactbook_drc>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cg.html CIA World Factbook: Congo, Democratic Republic]</ref> | The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has varying levels of resources available, depending upon the financial means and location of the person seeking care. The most resources are available in Kinshasa, the capital city, and in the private hospitals and clinics. However, many people cannot afford these private facilities, and there are also many people who live in more rural or remote areas. Regarding laws, contraception is legal and available, but most women do not use modern contraceptive methods. Emergency contraceptive pills are legally available over-the-counter in pharmacies. Abortion is only legally available when the pregnancy threatens the life of the pregnant person. | ||
The DRC is a diverse country with over 200 ethnic groups. The majority of the people are Bantu, and French is the official language. In terms of religion, 30% of the country is Roman Catholic and 27% are Protestant. Many of the people in the DRC live in poverty, despite the rich natural resources of the country. There is a large refugee population, including DRC citizens who have been internally displaced and refugees from other countries, such as Rwanda, the Central African Republic, and Burundi. The majority of the population is young, with about 46% between 0-14 years old, 20% between 15-24 years old, and 28% between 25-54 years old. Less than 10% of the population is over 55 years old, as of 2020.<ref name=ciaworldfactbook_drc>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cg.html CIA World Factbook: Congo, Democratic Republic]</ref> | |||
==Contraception (Birth Control)== | ==Contraception (Birth Control)== | ||
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In the DRC, abortion is generally prohibited. It is only legally permitted when the pregnancy endangers the life of the pregnant person. The abortion laws originally come from the 1867 Penal Code of Belgium, which were then incorporated into the Penal Code of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the nineteenth century.<ref name="ww_drc">[https://www.womenonwaves.org/en/page/4985/abortion-law-congo Abortion law Congo]</ref> | In the DRC, abortion is generally prohibited. It is only legally permitted when the pregnancy endangers the life of the pregnant person. The abortion laws originally come from the 1867 Penal Code of Belgium, which were then incorporated into the Penal Code of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the nineteenth century.<ref name="ww_drc">[https://www.womenonwaves.org/en/page/4985/abortion-law-congo Abortion law Congo]</ref> | ||
For information on abortion practices and issues in the DRC, you can check out the [https://www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/abortion-kinshasa Kinshasa 2018 factsheet from the Guttmacher Institute]. | |||
===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
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==Advocacy & Counseling== | ==Advocacy & Counseling== | ||
== | ==LGBTQ+ Resources== | ||
* Note: Homosexuality is legal in the DRC and it is legal to change gender. However, homosexual marriage is not legal and there is no legal protection against discrimination of LGBTQ+ individuals, as of 2020.<ref>[https://www.equaldex.com/region/democratic-republic-of-the-congo Equaldex - Democratic Republic of Congo]</ref> | |||
* [https://www.equaldex.com/region/democratic-republic-of-the-congo Equaldex - Democratic Republic of Congo]: This website provides information on LGBTQ rights and laws in the DRC. | |||
* [https://www.lonelyplanet.com/democratic-republic-of-congo/practical-information/directory/lgbt-travellers/a/nar/25c0380f-97ad-41ba-8688-91a946a61f4e/355218 Lonely Planet: DRC LGBT Travellers]: This website provides information on travel in the DRC for LGBTQ+ travelers. | |||
== | ==Additional Resources== | ||
* [https://minisanterdc.cd/ Ministry of Health] | * [https://minisanterdc.cd/ Ministry of Health] | ||
* [https://www.who.int/countries/cod/en/ WHO - Democratic Republic of Congo] | * [https://www.who.int/countries/cod/en/ WHO - Democratic Republic of Congo] | ||
* [https://drc.unfpa.org/ UNFPA - Democratic Republic of Congo] | * [https://drc.unfpa.org/ UNFPA - Democratic Republic of Congo] | ||
* [https://www.mariestopes.org/where-we-work/democratic-republic-of-the-congo/ Marie Stopes DRC]: This international NGO focuses on women's health care access, and they may be able to provide some help or services to people in need. Address: Consession Safricas, Rue Sergent Moke n° 14, Quartier Socimat, Commune Ngaliema, Kinshasa. Phone: +243 82 899 72 25 | |||
* [https://www.ippf.org/about-us/member-associations/congo-dem-republic The Association de Bien-Etre Familial – Naissances Désirables (ABEF-ND)]: "The Association de Bien-Etre Familial – Naissances Désirables (ABEF-ND) was founded in 1977, and since then it has worked tirelessly to drive changes which will secure a better future for the country. ABEF-ND offers sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information, education and communication for young people. It offers HIV and AIDS prevention and management services, and community-based distribution of contraceptives. It also advocates strenuously around SRH issues with legislators and health professionals. As such, it’s central to shaping relevant national policies." | * [https://www.ippf.org/about-us/member-associations/congo-dem-republic The Association de Bien-Etre Familial – Naissances Désirables (ABEF-ND)]: "The Association de Bien-Etre Familial – Naissances Désirables (ABEF-ND) was founded in 1977, and since then it has worked tirelessly to drive changes which will secure a better future for the country. ABEF-ND offers sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information, education and communication for young people. It offers HIV and AIDS prevention and management services, and community-based distribution of contraceptives. It also advocates strenuously around SRH issues with legislators and health professionals. As such, it’s central to shaping relevant national policies." | ||
* [https://www.womenforwomen.org/where-we-work/democratic-republic-congo Women for Women International - DRC]: "Since 2004, Women for Women International – Democratic Republic of the Congo has served more than 95,000 women through our yearlong program in eastern Congo's North and South Kivu provinces." | |||
* [http://www.familyplanning-drc.net/ Family Planning in the DRC] | * [http://www.familyplanning-drc.net/ Family Planning in the DRC] | ||
* [https://www.familyplanning2020.org/democratic-republic-of-the-congo Family Planning 2020 - Democratic Republic of Congo] | * [https://www.familyplanning2020.org/democratic-republic-of-the-congo Family Planning 2020 - Democratic Republic of Congo] | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||