Glossary

Male agents of change are male volunteers who have participated in training courses run by medica Liberia and are sensitised to relevant issues such as gender-based violence. Subsequently, they can serve as role models for their fellow male community members. A male agent of charge is committed to promoting the needs and rights of women within his community. Some of the men trained for this role are put forward by the community leaders, and others come forward themselves, to the women support groups or to the staff of medica Liberia. These men work closely together with the women support groups, for example in cases where there is a conflict between a husband and wife. Generally in these cases mediation sessions will be organised jointly by the male agent of change and the women support group. 

Mediation rooms in Kabul, Heart and Mazar-e Sharif offer a place for families to receive counseling and look for ways to resolve their conflicts, without being afraid of the disgrace this might bring upon the family if the neighbours see lawyers or social workers visit them.

What are the differences between MHPSS and the Stress- and Trauma-sensitive Approach (STA)?

• MHPSS (Mental Health and Psycho-Social Support): Improvement of psychological health and psychosocial well-being of the suffering target groups.
• medica mondiale and STA: Trans-sectoral promotion of an empowerment-oriented approach by specialist staff, improving gender justice and breaking down the spirals of violence that are exacerbated by trauma dynamics.

In order to break through the cycle of stress and trauma dynamics, an organisational culture characterised by mindfulness is important. The mindfulness of the staff members is directed towards their own stress and reaction patterns on the one hand, and structural problems on the other (for example, safety management, or information flow within the organisation), which can all exacerbate the stress and trauma dynamics.

This includes the introduction and practice of stress- and trauma-sensitive communication. If all staff members learn to adopt appropriate communication strategies suitable for everyday working life, this enhances the problem-solving and constructive cooperation in the teams.

In Bosnia and Kosovo, medica mondiale had for many years both a permanent gynaecological practice and mobile clinics - these are minibuses fitted out as small gynaecological treatment rooms. The mobile clinics enable the organisation to reach women and girls in outlying and inaccessible villages and regions.

See also “trauma-sensitive health care work”

MONUSCO is the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The acronym comes from its official French title: Mission de l'Organisation des Nations unies pour la stabilisation en République démocratique du Congo. It is one of the largest UN peacekeeping missions.

In 2020, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 2556 to extend the mandate of MONUSCO until December 20, 2021. This mission mandate is defined as protection of the civilian population, support for the stabilisation and strengthening of public institutions, and support for major reforms in governance and security.

History

The mission was originally established as MONUC (United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or Mission des Nations Unies en République Démocratique du Congo) in 1999, during the Second Congo War. This followed the signing of the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) and five other states in the region and the passing of Resolution 1279. The initial purpose of the mission was to observe the ceasefire, plan the disengagement of forces, and liaise with all parties to the ceasefire agreement. Later, this was expanded to include supervising the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and trying to resolve ongoing conflicts in several provinces of DR Congo.

In 2010, MONUC was renamed MONUSCO by the Security Council after it passed Resolution 1925, reflecting the changes in its mandate. This also now authorised the use of all necessary means to carry out its mandate, including the protection of civilians, humanitarian personnel and human rights defenders under imminent threat of physical violence, and support for the DR Congo government efforts to stabilise and consolidate peace.

 islamic and legal scholars