Duchess Sophie Visits Congo to Highlight Women’s Role in Peacebuilding
On Thursday, October 2, the Royal Family shared updates on Duchess Sophie’s recent trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The 76-year-old royal spent four days in the country, focusing on the impact of the ongoing conflict on women and girls, as well as grassroots peacebuilding efforts.
“This week, at the request of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, The Duchess of Edinburgh returned to the Democratic Republic of Congo to witness the devastating effects of conflict and meet women peacebuilders working at the community level,” the Royal Family’s Instagram caption read.
Photos from the visit show Duchess Sophie engaging with women and children in the affected regions. In the northeastern city of Beni—a key hub for humanitarian response and home to the UN peacekeeping mission, MONUSCO—she met UN peacekeepers from around the world. There, she learned about their role in conflict resolution, supporting community resilience, and advocating for women’s rights.
The Duchess also visited Beni General Hospital, where she met clinicians providing UK-funded sexual and reproductive health services to survivors of conflict-related sexual violence.
A strong advocate for the Women, Peace, and Security agenda, Duchess Sophie began her visit on September 29 and concluded it on October 2, shining a spotlight on the critical work being done to support women and peace initiatives in the region.
Mutib Khalid is a skilled content writer and digital marketer with a knack for crafting compelling narratives and optimizing digital strategies. Excel in creating engaging content that drives results and enhances online presence. Passionate about blending creativity with data-driven approaches, Mutib Khalid helps brands connect with their audience and achieve their goals.