SOFIBEF was founded by a group of peasant women in the Fizi region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, in response to armed tribal and regional conflict which began four years ago. The organization is dedicated to defending and protecting the human rights of women and children who have become even more vulnerable since the onset of violence that has particularly devastated the Fizi region of the Congo.

Despite their limited resources, SOFIBEF has provided mental health services in the form of group and individual counseling and a micro-credit program for women, and created a newsletter in order to share information about the ways in which people can develop and maintain coping skills when faced with overwhelming difficulties. This work will be continued with the support of this year’s Martín-Baró Fund grant.