The Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the Public Service of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) launched the new session of “Development Tuesday (MdD)” to discuss gender equality in the DRC. He pointed out that although women leaders act for the improvement and progress of life in society, gender equality remains far from being achieved. Progress is too slow on women’s participation in decision-making processes. For the minister, the Congo is in an era where men must understand that it is in their interest to give women the place they deserve.
The Deputy Prime Minister also discussed the efforts to be put in place in favor of gender equality, as well as the vices to be eradicated in Congolese society. “Making room for women” means building a society of equal treatment between men and women, without discrimination based on gender. Women should be equally represented in all areas, including decision-making positions. Sexual and gender-based violence, in private and in the workplace, in peacetime and in wartime, should be condemned and accompanied by dissuasive sanctions against its perpetrators.
The minister also stresses the need to feminize public administration and give women the opportunity to run for positions of responsibility at all levels. It is time to recognize the competence of women and allow them to occupy the same positions as men.
As part of the development of a real gender equality strategy within the Public Administration, a special commission has been set up in the Minister’s office, in collaboration with the UNDP and CAFCO. The objective is to guarantee that the same opportunities are offered to women and men as soon as they enter public administration, and that this equality continues in the promotions in grade to the highest level.
The role of women leaders is crucial in these efforts to achieve gender equality and women’s rights in the DRC. In recent years, several initiatives have been launched to promote self-acceptance and gender equality in the DRC, including the “Proudly Ndundu” festival in Kinshasa, which celebrates the beauty of difference. Opposition leaders also called for citizen mobilization ahead of the 2023 elections to promote gender equality and women’s rights.
In summary, the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the Public Service stressed the importance of promoting gender equality and women’s rights in the DRC. He called for concrete actions to ensure that women are equally represented in all areas and that gender-based discrimination is eradicated. Women leaders have a crucial role to play in realizing this vision