Title: 20 years of the African Charter on Women’s Rights: progress in the DRC and future challenges
Introduction :
This July 11, the Democratic Republic of Congo celebrated 20 years of the adoption and domestication of the African Charter on Women’s Rights. This event, organized by the Ministry of Gender in partnership with the NGO IPAS, made it possible to take stock of progress and challenges in terms of gender equality in the country. This article reviews the key points of this conference and highlights the actions undertaken as well as the perspectives for the future.
Women’s rights in the DRC: an ongoing struggle for equality:
The conference recalled that women’s rights are human rights and cannot be negotiated or discussed. These rights include the right to live free from violence, the right to education, the right to property and inheritance, the right to freedom of expression and vote, as well as the right to his body. Despite significant progress, the reality in the DRC shows that challenges remain in terms of gender equality, and that concrete actions must be taken to address them.
Actions undertaken in favor of gender equality:
Several speakers highlighted the actions carried out in the DRC to promote gender equality. Among these, we can cite the implementation of the Support Plan for the Development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (PADMPME), which supports businesses mainly held by women. The government has also taken steps to ensure full equality between boys and girls in primary education, as well as to increase the representation of women in central government. The Head of State’s commitment to women’s rights was also highlighted, placing him as a Champion of Positive Masculinity.
Challenges to overcome:
Despite these advances, challenges in terms of gender equality remain numerous in the DRC. These include combating violence against women, ensuring access to education and employment for all, and promoting equal participation of women in decision-making. Full implementation of the African Charter on Women’s Rights is essential to address these challenges and ensure gender equality in all areas of Congolese society.
Conclusion :
The celebration of the 20th anniversary of the African Charter on Women’s Rights in the DRC has made it possible to highlight the progress made in the field of gender equality, while highlighting the challenges that remain to be met. It is essential to continue to promote and protect the rights of women in the DRC, in order to achieve a fairer and more egalitarian society.. The African Charter on the Rights of Women provides a solid legal framework to achieve this goal, but there is a need to comprehensively implement its measures and principles to ensure real gender equality