JHR has been operating in the DRC since 2007 with the aim of strengthening the capacity of local media to effectively cover human rights issues and denounce systemic corruption.

Starting from small-scale interventions confined to the capital city, Kinshasa, JHR’s initiative in DRC has grown to include a network of a dozen independent press clubs that span several provinces across the country. This network works daily to promote coverage of human rights issues, particularly those affecting the most vulnerable in Congolese society. In the past few years, JHR has focused on youth programming, on the principle that youth are the key to a brighter future in the media sector. JHR’s approach is to build the capacity of journalism students to foster dialogue around human rights, democracy and good governance issues on campuses, in the community and in the media across the DRC through a network of 11 JHR university chapters in Kinshasa, Goma (North Kivu) and Bukavu (South Kivu).

Beginning in 2019, Canada World: Voice for Women & Girls is a 4 year initiative supported by Global Affairs Canada that will improve the human rights of women and girls within the DRC through working with journalists, civil society and key stakeholders.