Women politicians and civil society leaders in North Kivu recently expressed their need for support from MONUSCO for the 2023 electoral process. During a political café in Goma, they underlined their concern about their low representativeness on the lists of the CENI to the national deputation. They therefore requested the assistance of MONUSCO to build their capacities and increase their competitiveness in the electoral sector.
Ester Vira from the NGO AIDPROFEN said: “For MONUSCO, we recommend capacity building in terms of support to help women to raise their level to be competitive in the electoral sector”. This request highlights the fact that women have often been relegated to second place within their political parties, which partly explains their low participation in the electoral process.
Neuilly Lumbulumbu of the NGO Sauti ya Mama Mkongomani pointed out that many political parties did not field women on their candidate lists, and those that did often did so only to avoid paying the required deposit. by electoral law. This situation contributes to the marginalization of women and limits their involvement in the political life of North Kivu.
Aware of this problem, the political affairs section of MONUSCO organized this political café in order to listen to women and support them in the preparation of the process of filing candidacies for the 2023 elections. This initiative aims to promote greater greater representation of women in the political sphere and to strengthen their role as leaders of civil society.
It is essential to support women politicians and civil society leaders in North Kivu in order to foster gender equality and promote the democratic participation of all citizens. By building their capacities and offering them appropriate support, MONUSCO plays a crucial role in promoting diversity and inclusion in the Congolese political landscape.
In conclusion, it is necessary to put in place concrete measures to encourage the participation and representation of women in politics in North Kivu. The involvement of MONUSCO and other international actors is crucial to ensure fair and inclusive elections in 2023. It is time to break down the barriers that hinder women’s participation and recognize their importance in building a democratic society