Rwanda is one the countries to benefit from the World Bank’s $107 million (about Rwf72.8bn) approved to support survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Africa’s Great Lakes Region.

Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are the other countries set to benefit from the grant.

Rwanda will receive about $15 million (Rwf10.2bn), DRC about $74 million, while Burundi will receive $15 million.

The project will support and complement ongoing efforts of these governments and their partners, including UN agencies and NGOs operating in the three countries.

 The money will also be channeled into provision of integrated health and counselling services, legal aid, and economic opportunities, to SGBV survivors.

The project will also strengthen health services for poor and vulnerable women in Africa’s Great Lakes region.

Overall, the project’s grants, which are financed by the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank Group’s fund for the poorest countries, will benefit over 641,000 women and girls, of whom half a million live in the DRC.

"We desperately need to support thousands of vulnerable women and girls in the Great Lakes region who are survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, and also to help governments  fight maternal and child mortality,” said Makhtar Diop,” World Bank Vice President for Africa.

"This new project is part of our World Bank Group’s Great Lakes Regional Initiative for peace, security and economic development, Diop said during the signing ceremony in Washington DC.

"Health services offer an opportunity for early identification and referral of women at risk of violence, or recovering from SGBV,” said Miriam Schneidman, Lead Health Specialist at the World Bank and task team leader of the project.

Constance Mukayuhi Rwaka, Chairperson, Parliamentary Standing Committe on National Budget and Patrimony, said it’s very important for development partners to work towards promoting gender equality for sustainable growth of the country.

Recently, Carolyn Turk, the World Bank Country manager, reaffirmed World Bank’s commitment to addressing issues related to gender-based violence.

In May 2013, WB President Jim Kim announced $1 billion in new World Bank Group regional support for the countries of the Great Lakes while visiting the war-torn area with UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon.