The tenth edition of the Amani festival began this Saturday, November 16 in the Ihusi village of Goma. This major event brings together at least 18 thousand festival-goers, coming from 18 districts of the city of Goma and other countries.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is taking the opportunity to raise awareness, screen and distribute inputs to the public, made up mainly of young people and adolescents.
“We came to the Amani festival with the objective of reaching several young people and adolescents who are the main targets for a better future for themselves and even for the country. It’s really an opportunity for us to talk with young people about reproductive sexual health, the fight against GBV, family planning but also to talk about peace, security and development with young people,” said Charles Mbeetsa Bwale, program specialist. Gender, Adolescent and Youth of UNFPA DRC.
And to add:
Satisfied, some young people were tested for HIV in the mobile clinic set up by UNFPA.
“I just got tested, then I was given condoms to protect me against HIV. Sometimes we are a little distracted but with this awareness, I think we have come to understand once again that we have to take care of ourselves as young people,” reacts patient Mulungu, young person from Goma.
The Amani Festival, which means “peace” in Swahili, is an annual cultural event aimed at promoting social cohesion in a region often marked by conflict. Since 2013, it has brought together local and international artists, providing a platform for messages of peace and civic engagement.
Yvonne Kapinga, in Goma
How does the engagement of young people at the Amani festival this year affect their perception of community involvement and social responsibility?
Can you tell us about your experience at the Amani festival this year, specifically regarding the engagement of young people in the event and the impact it has on the local community?
As a representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), what are the main objectives behind your participation in the Amani festival, and how do you think this event contributes to raising awareness about reproductive health and well-being among youth in the region?
Can you share any specific initiatives or campaigns that UNFPA has implemented during the festival to promote gender equality, family planning, and the fight against GBV among attendees?
How do you think the Amani festival has evolved over the years in terms of its ability to fuse cultural expression with messages of peace and social cohesion? Do you believe that it has been successful in promoting positive change in the region?
Lastly, what are some of the key challenges that you have faced in your work with young people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and how do events like the Amani festival help address these issues?
