The games of La Francophonie Kinshasa 2023 have raised many expectations among women and girls in the Congolese capital. According to Lydia Massamba, seamstress in her forties, the legendary hospitality of Kinshasa will be highlighted during this event, and she hopes that the people of Kinshasa will respond massively to this meeting. Smyrne Kipa, an agent specializing in resource management, believes that the communication around the games is very well done, thus arousing the interest of the population. Grandma Ilunga, manager of a cement depot, even plans to attend the various shows and events organized as part of the games.
However, there are still concerns about the infrastructure being built to host the games. Many fear that these constructions carried out under pressure will not last in the long term and will not really benefit the population once the games are over. In addition, questions arise about the sale of access tickets and their cost. Cynthia Mbongi, a graduate in Latin philosophy, worries about the lack of information just hours before the start of the games, while she is excited to follow the opening ceremony. Sarah Bawala, a medical student, hopes that the authorities will do everything possible to ensure that all planned events go off without a hitch in order to restore the country’s image.
But others question the usefulness of these games in the context of the economic crisis that the DRC is going through. Chantal Omba, sixty-year-old and agent at the Ministry of the Environment, believes that the country is facing many problems such as insecurity, unemployment or even armed conflicts, and that investing so many financial resources in the organization of games is not a priority. She even refuses to go there. Likewise, Smyrne Kipa does not have high expectations for these games, considering that it is above all a financial investment.
It is true that the Games of La Francophonie aim to promote peace, development and international solidarity, but it seems that some doubt their real impact on the country’s current issues.
In conclusion, the expectations of women and girls in Kinshasa vis-à-vis the Games of La Francophonie are mixed. While some are delighted with the event and hope for real success, others wonder about the usefulness and impact of these games in the difficult socio-economic context that the DRC is going through. It remains to be seen how these games will play out and what the fallout will be for the Congolese population