September 2023 – Hortense Maliro, a Congolese politician, is running for the highest office for “inclusive management” of the DRC. Hortense is the founder of the association for the social integration of the physically handicapped and promoter of We Are The World School, a school for children victims of the horrors of war in North Kivu. She was an advisor to the cabinet of the Ministry of Social Affairs, despite her physical disability, she is determined to see a healthier and more developed DRC.
The declaration of candidacy took place during a motorized caravan organized through some main arteries of the city of Goma. Hortense encouraged all women to recognize their skills and called for an “inclusive management” of the DRC, also involving people with disabilities.
“I was crossed by many questions about how I could participate effectively in the management of the nation. It was difficult for me, so to speak, to see the state collapse without me being able to act. My country is a geological scandal, there are many reports that mention it, alas, the population remains poor…”, she declared.
Hortense Kavuo Maliro is single and holds a degree in economics. Until her recent declaration of presidential candidacy, she was a candidate in the national legislative elections but was not elected. Born in 1979, she represents an impetus for female participation in the management of public affairs in the DRC.
Participation in provincial and local elections is widening in the DRC, with many candidates with disabilities also announced. This reflects real progress for the country, although major challenges remain in the areas of security and poverty.