Understanding How Solidarity Groups—A Community-Based Economic and Psychosocial Support Intervention—Can Affect Mental Health for Survivors of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Abstract

Solidarity groups were established in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to provide female survivors of conflict-related sexual violence an opportunity to generate income, establish networks of support, and cope with atrocities. Qualitative data were collected from 12 members of solidarity groups to explore factors that contributed to members' mental health. All women identified some improvement (physiological, psychological, economic, or social) since joining the solidarity group, but none of the women were free from ailments. Our findings suggest that a multifaceted intervention in women's own communities has the potential to improve multiple aspects of women's lives, including mental health.

‘I think I will need help’: A systematic review of who facilitates the recovery from gender‐based violence and how they do so

“…The results presented in this article indicate that overcoming GBV requires an effort based on a community model in which all possible sources of support collaborate and coordinate, including formal networks (services and institutional resources), informal social networks and the women themselves 26,27,29‐45,49 . Collaboration between formal services and informal support networks, especially family and friends, is particularly important because women tend to seek support from informal networks first.…”

“…Therefore, while not all women have the same opportunity to make structural changes to their lifestyles, the aforementioned research goes beyond structural changes to propose a process of reflection on the meaning the individual gives to her experiences, which entails a change in the meaning given to life and, especially, to feelings 3,22,25‐28 . Specifically, to promote this self‐awareness and creation of meaning, Koegler et al 27 propose empowerment and narrative self‐revelation.…”

“…These formal or informal support networks work by helping women identify sources of support in their environment; helping them strengthen their ties with those supports and disconnect from toxic people; helping them identify their strengths and increase their awareness of the resources available to them; contributing to the improvement of their mental health; guiding them to rethink and reformulate their life history—especially regarding their affective‐sexual relationships—and providing practical support, such as help with accommodations, moving, childcare or financial aid 2,27,28 . Many of these activities give the women time to think about their experience, an element that, as shown previously, is essential in recovery.…”

“…Roberts and Schenkman‐Roberts 44 indicate that, in the case of the women who participated in their study, family intervention helped them end the relationship before the violence had taken root. Support groups contribute to physiological, psychological, economic or social improvement 27 . For these positive effects to occur, useful responses by informal sources of support are as follows: encourage women to seek legal or emotional support/counselling, provide safe housing, or actively intervene (e.g.…”

Indashyikirwa Women’s Safe Spaces: Informal Response for Survivors of IPV within a Rwandan Prevention Programme

“…The solidarity developed at the safe spaces and the concept of 'power within' also supported attendees' confidence and well-being, and was said to reduce anxiety and loneliness. Extensive research conducted on the impact of women's safe spaces or solidarity groups reveals similar benefits through being with others who are facing similar issues including improvements in psychological well-being, self-esteem and self-efficacy, reductions in depression, self-blame and isolation (Sullivan 2012;Santos et al 2017;Koegler et al 2018). Furthermore, the positive impact of this type of support for IPV survivors has been shown to be sustainable over longer periods of time (Santos et al 2017).…”