Strength and leadership often come from the most challenging and vulnerable places.
Deheve Machazo was inspired to take action after seeing the difficult conditions faced by women and girls in an internal displacement camp. She was determined to change the community’s mindset regarding contraception and reproductive health.
Located in the conflict-ridden Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Kigonze displacement site lacked crucial information on family planning and reproductive health. Deheve became a powerful advocate for sexual and reproductive health and rights within the camp, listening to the needs of the women and girls around her.
With millions of people internally displaced due to violence in the country, over 860,000 women of childbearing age are especially vulnerable. Deheve’s primary focus is on providing women and girls with accurate information on sexual and reproductive health.
As a community organizer, Deheve leads initiatives to raise awareness about family planning at the Kigonze site. She has played a vital role in ensuring that women have access to contraceptive methods and prenatal care.
The Kigonze Health Center, supported by UNFPA and partners, has made significant progress in providing prenatal consultations, assisting with deliveries, and offering essential care to newborns. Deheve’s efforts have had a transformative impact on the women and girls in Kigonze.
Deheve’s dedication to supporting these women and guiding them towards a healthier future has been instrumental in improving their lives. Through her activism, she has made a lasting impact on the community.
Content provided by UNFPA – East and Southern Africa.