In the dense forests of Nduye, in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the rhythms of tradition shape daily life, one woman’s personal revolution is beginning to echo far beyond her community.
Anne-Marie Mwayuma, an Indigenous woman from one of the many Pygmy communities (referred to as Peuples Autochtones, or PA), has lived her entire life under the weight of deeply rooted social norms. In her own words:
Throughout different Indigenous communities in Nduye, many outdated customs continue to marginalise women because of a lack of knowledge about their rights…This deeply affected my self-esteem, and I came to see myself as worthless.
Anne-Marie’s experience is far from isolated. In the DRC, Indigenous communities—despite their invaluable contribution to preserving the country’s rich biodiversity—remain among the most marginalised. Women and girls bear the brunt of this marginalisation, often excluded from leadership, silenced in public, and denied basic protections.
But thanks to the Tulinde Haki na Mazingira Zetu project – Protect Our Rights and Our Environment – Anne-Marie’s story has taken a new direction.
Tulinde: Protecting people, preserving forests
Launched in September 2023 by International Alert and six partner organisations, the Tulinde project aims to tackle both conflict and conservation by placing Indigenous voices at the heart of decision-making. With funding and collaboration, the project has focused on three protected areas: Kahuzi-Biega National Park, Kabobo Wildlife Reserve, and Okapi Wildlife Reserve.
Indigenous communities like those in Nduye are not only custodians of Congo’s forests but are also disproportionately affected by environmental degradation, displacement, and armed conflict. Tulinde addresses these challenges by:
- Promoting peace and gender equality through dialogue and training
- Providing legal support and paralegal training
- Raising awareness about rights, especially for women
- Strengthening community leadership and inclusive governance
“With Tulinde, I found my voice”
Anne-Marie was one of many women reached by Tulinde through workshops and gender-based violence (GBV) training delivered by Alert’s partner organisation Femme Congolaise pour le Développement (FECONDE). These sessions taught her not only to recognise abuse but also to challenge the systems that uphold it.
Thanks to the training on gender-based violence, I regained my self-worth and learned to identify what constitutes abuse.
Empowered with knowledge and courage, Anne-Marie became a local advocate. Between January and February 2024, she visited five households, speaking directly to couples, especially men, about ending mistreatment of their wives. Two serious cases were referred to psychosocial support services, where women could finally receive the care they needed.
Today, Anne-Marie works alongside FECONDE as a community mobiliser, spreading awareness and hope in Nduye.
I work with FECONDE to spread awareness and help end gender-based violence against all women, especially Indigenous women.
Creating space for women to lead
Anne-Marie’s transformation is not just personal; it’s cultural. In her community, women were once discouraged from speaking publicly or assuming leadership roles. But Tulinde is beginning to shift these dynamics.
Through dialogue groups, awareness campaigns, and inclusive legal support, the project is making space for Indigenous women to step into leadership roles once denied to them. As of early 2025:
- Over 60 families now hold birth certificates
- 55 individuals received legal assistance
- 27 workshops raised awareness on Indigenous rights and GBV
- 14 community dialogues tackled local conflict and marginalisation
Tulinde’s radio programming, trauma healing sessions, and outreach to marginalised households continue to amplify impact far beyond the project’s initial goals.
A future rooted in justice
Anne-Marie’s story is proof that true transformation starts from within but grows through collective action. Her journey to community advocate embodies the promise of Tulinde: a future where Indigenous Peoples, especially women, are no longer left behind.
In the complex ecosystem of Congo’s forests and communities, the seeds of peace, justice, and resilience are already taking root. And thanks to voices like Anne-Marie’s, they are beginning to bloom.
To find out more about the project or potential future collaborations in DRC, contact Lucy Williams or Camille Marie-Regnault at [email protected].
