Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Sarah Sewall will travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from October 18-24, 2015.

While in the DRC, Under Secretary Sewall will discuss bilateral and regional issues, including the need to ensure timely, credible, and peaceful elections; combat sexual and gender-based violence; strengthen rule of law; and end the suspension of exit visas for internationally adopted children. She will meet with government officials, the opposition, civil society, youth, community and religious leaders, UN officials, and other key stakeholders. She will also deliver a speech at a local research organization.

Under Secretary Sewall will travel to eastern Congo where she will meet with local government officials, civil society, community leaders, legal aid and health providers, and representatives of the United Nations Organizations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). She will also visit the Vulnerable Children and Youth Training Center and meet survivors of gender-based violence.

For more information please contact Virginia Blakeman at BlakemanVH@state.gov. Follow the Under Secretary’s travel on Twitter @civsecatstate or visit www.state.gov/j.