Title of the article: “Awareness-raising on women’s entrepreneurship and women’s rights in Kinshasa: feedback on the motorized caravan organized by CAFCO”
Introduction :
The promotion of female entrepreneurship and the defense of the rights of women and girls are essential issues for the development of Congolese society. With this in mind, the Congolese Women’s Permanent Consultation Framework (CAFCO), in partnership with UN Women, organized a motorized caravan in Kinshasa on July 8th. This initiative aims to raise awareness among the population of Kinshasa on the importance of female entrepreneurship and to inform women of their rights. A look back at this event, which highlighted crucial issues and encouraged the empowerment of women in the economic field.
Raise awareness, inform, encourage:
The CAFCO motorized caravan traveled the streets of Kinshasa, from the Place des Evolués in Gombe to the Bayaka market in Ngiri-Ngiri, passing through several districts of the city. This mobile and dynamic approach captured the attention of passers-by and attracted a large audience.
CAFCO members have targeted women who already operate small businesses, encouraging them to formalize their businesses. Indeed, many Congolese women work in the informal sector, and the formalization of their activities would allow them to access many advantages, such as loans or specific training.
The main information relayed during the caravan concerns the rights of women and girls in terms of entrepreneurship. The participants were informed that marital authorization to set up a business or exercise a trade is no longer required, thanks to a modification of the family code. This measure aims to establish greater equity and promote the economic emancipation of women.
In addition, the caravan emphasized the need to raise women’s and girls’ awareness of the risks of sexual harassment in the workplace. The participants were encouraged to denounce these acts and to protect themselves against any form of violence or discrimination.
A promising pilot phase:
This motorized caravan is part of a vast project led by CAFCO, in collaboration with UN Women, and which will take place from mid-2022 to mid-2023. The objective is to reform and disseminate laws favorable to female entrepreneurship in connection with the Support Program for the Development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (PADMPME).
This pilot phase made it possible to measure the positive impact of mobile awareness in the field. CAFCO members noted the commitment and interest of the women they met, as well as the willingness to get involved in formal economic activities..
Conclusion :
The motorized caravan organized by CAFCO in Kinshasa was an opportunity to raise awareness about female entrepreneurship and the rights of women and girls. This mobile initiative made it possible to reach a wide audience, encouraging women to formalize their economic activities and assert their rights. This pilot phase of the project, carried out in partnership with UN Women, paves the way for future actions aimed at promoting the empowerment of women in the economic sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo