Title: Women traders in the DRC: essential players in economic survival
Introduction :
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a country where the survival of populations often depends on the small trade carried out by women and men on a daily basis. Faced with this reality, the Congolese government recognizes the importance of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) sector in economic growth and poverty reduction. With this in mind, Congolese civil society organizations have benefited from the support of UN Women to raise awareness among traders in the various markets of the country.
The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Support Project (PADMPME) aims to support the growth of SMEs and provide employment and entrepreneurship opportunities to young people and women, particularly in certain provinces. In this article, we will look at the efforts made by members of the Cadre de Concertation de la Femme Congolaise (CAFCO) and the Association des Femmes Entrepreneurs du Congo (AFEECO) to build the capacity of traders and promote gender equality. in the economic sector.
Capacity building for vendors:
During the project, vendors in Congolese markets were able to benefit from training and awareness raising to improve their knowledge of advocacy, the requirements of formal trade and measures to improve their health conditions. Members of CAFCO and AFEECO worked on the ground to transmit this knowledge and skills to traders in the provinces of Kinshasa, Kongo-Central, Haut Katanga and Nord-Kivu.
The objective is to enable sellers to become strong players capable of defending their interests with the competent authorities. Rather than simply waiting for handouts, civil society organizations have worked with traders to equip them with the tools to advocate for their business activities and comply with country laws and regulations, including obtaining the Trade Registry. Commerce et de Crédit Mobilier (RCCM) and national identification.
Challenges and prospects:
Despite the efforts made, challenges persist in the implementation of the project. For example, the “one-stop shop” responsible for issuing legal documents to traders is encountering difficulties that hinder their ability to regularize their situation. Nevertheless, raising awareness and popularizing legal texts remain essential to encourage sellers to comply with state requirements.
Women traders in the DRC play an essential role in the economic development of the country. Their economic empowerment contributes to poverty reduction, gender equality and environmental sustainability. For this, it is crucial to continue to support and strengthen the capacities of women entrepreneurs and vendors in order to promote equitable and sustainable development.
Conclusion :
Women traders in the DRC are key actors in the economic survival of their community. Thanks to the support of UN Women and civil society organizations, they benefit from training and sensitization to strengthen their capacities and improve their business activities. Despite the persistent challenges, the SME Development Support Project in the DRC offers promising prospects for the economic empowerment of women and the growth of the SME sector