Tumaini – Health and Rights of Women, Adolescent Girls and Children – 2022-2027

The Tumaini project – ‘’Hope’, in Swahili – supports the Panzi Foundation in its fight against sexual and gender-based violence and works towards improving sexual and reproductive health and rights, aiming to realize human rights. Jointly led by the International Health Unit, the Hygeia Observatory and the Panzi Foundation, it mobilizes several faculties of the University of Montreal (School of Public Health, Nursing, Medicine, Law, Planning, Arts and Sciences). Lasting six years, the project operates in South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in Bujumbura, Burundi. It aims to strengthen the Foundation’s capacities and is divided into three components: improving the delivery and management of health services; improving the socio-cultural, financial and geographical accessibility of health services; promoting research-based policies, legal frameworks and health care services.

To achieve these objectives, the project will mobilize operational research, evaluation, knowledge transfer and advocacy tools. In addition to the expertise of the various faculties involved, Lawyers Without Borders Canada and Global Strategies will be associated with the project. From an equity perspective, the initiative is structured to reach the most marginalized and vulnerable people. For the sake of sustainability, the initiative foresees the strengthening of local resources and a consequent integration of environmental issues, gender equality and human rights which will be the subject of specific and transversal interventions. Benefits are expected at local, provincial, national and international levels. The initiative will also contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (e.g., 1, 3, 5, 6, 10, 15, 16, 17).