TEMPS D’ECOUTE

The Democratic Republic of Congo is considered one of the worst places in the world to be a woman. “Temps d’Ecoute” provides a space to actively listen, reflect and condemn this reality. The documentary presents, without victimization, gender as a determinant of health. It breaks with the cliché that depicts women and African societies as passive, poor and without initiative.  Instead it presents an organized and activist Congolese society, leader in the defense of its rights.

The film, through the statements of five women, victims of sexual violence that may also be living with HIV, invites us to reflect upon the repercussions that social gender roles have in health, in access to healthcare services and to medicines.

The storyline of the documentary is the work of FEPSI (Femmes Engagées pour la Promotion de la Santé Intégrale), a ten year old Congolese women’s group, that provides medical, psychological, legal and socio-economic care to victims of sexual violence, people who live with HIV, or  displaced by war.

“Temps d’Écoute” shows the Congolese perspective in a polyphonic manner, including the different viewpoints of local activists, victims, authorities, academics in gender issues, and journalists.