Formal entrepreneurship is often perceived as a privileged path to economic success and financial autonomy. However, people with disabilities are often excluded from this opportunity due to various barriers and discriminations they face. This is why the Permanent Consultation Framework for Congolese Women (CAFCO), in partnership with UN Women, recently organized an awareness campaign aimed at encouraging people with disabilities to engage in formal entrepreneurship.
The objective of this campaign was to make people with disabilities aware of the laws and texts that support them and encourage them to become full-fledged entrepreneurs. Indeed, many people with disabilities already work in the informal sector, but by helping them to formalize their activities, they can access more opportunities and benefits.
During this sensitization, Josepha Kongolo, member of CAFCO, stressed the importance of working with people with disabilities as part of the project to disseminate laws favorable to women. According to her, these people should not work alone, but should be supported and encouraged to see themselves as important economic actors.
The president of young people with disabilities at the National Federation of Associations of People with Disabilities (FENAPHA), Mélanie Musau, expressed her satisfaction with this awareness-raising initiative. She stressed the importance of registering at the one-stop shop to obtain the necessary documents for the formalization of their activities. However, she also highlighted the financial difficulties faced by people with disabilities in obtaining these documents, which are expensive in relation to their income.
The participants also made some recommendations during this awareness campaign. They called on the government to put in place a mechanism to support entrepreneurship for people with disabilities and to build the capacity of those who are already on this path.
As part of this awareness, CAFCO has also announced that people with disabilities carrying out a commercial activity will now be able to obtain the commercial and personal property credit register at a reduced price.
In conclusion, this awareness campaign on formal entrepreneurship for people with disabilities aims to encourage their active participation in the economic sector.. By providing them with the necessary information and offering them appropriate support, it is possible to help these people realize their entrepreneurial potential and contribute to the socio-economic development of their community