Miss Veronique Ehamo

Véronique Ehamo is a Ph.D. candidate specializing in politics, international relations, gender, and public policy. Véronique holds a master's degree from Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs and is currently serving on the New York State Young Democrats Policy Committee. As an academic researcher, Véronique's Ph.D. project aims to dissect societal dynamics and its implication on the prevalence of rape as a weapon of war in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Part one of the research project reviews existing theories conceptualizing rape in the context of war. Data collected through this research is critical to inform evidence-based policymaking. Part two of the research project examines international and domestic laws addressing sexual violence and impunity, International Criminal Court cases, and possible change to the culture of impunity in the Congo. 

The Ph.D. qualitative and quantitative research seeks to answer the following question(s):

• Can sexual violence in conflict be prevented?
• What are the critical factors which have made sexual violence in conflict resistant to eradication?
• Why do acts of sexual violence persist with impunity in the Democratic Republic of Congo?
• What are the legal implications for future policies?