The power of women in politics: a persistent challenge in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
The political participation of women remains a major challenge in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as evidenced by the low number of accepted female candidates for the legislative elections. In a statement recently published by the Center for Research and Studies on the Rule of Law in Africa (CREEDA), it is noted with indignation that out of a total of 23,653 candidacies declared admissible by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) , only 3,955, or 17%, are women.
This observation highlights the fact that the constituent’s objective, which aims for equal political participation between men and women, is far from being a priority for Congolese political parties. Despite the incentive measures put in place in favor of female candidates, the number remains extremely low.
Among the 66 parties and political groups listed, only 10 parties and 56 political groups have reached the admissibility threshold set by the CENI. As a result, 36 parties and 15 political groupings are deprived of the right to contest elections.
In addition, CREEDA notes another problem: certain parties and political groups have been declared admissible, even though they have not presented the required number of candidates, i.e. at least 300.
Faced with these findings, the NGO recommends that the CENI rectify the material errors contained in its decision by excluding the parties and political groups that have not reached the admissibility threshold. It also asks the Constitutional Court to enforce the electoral law in the event of disputes over candidacies.
The publication of the provisional list of admissible candidates for the legislative elections highlights a glaring imbalance in the political representation of women in the DRC. It is essential to redouble our efforts to encourage the active participation of women in the political process and to guarantee fair representation in the institutions.
Promoting gender parity and equality is essential to ensuring inclusive democracy and reflecting the full diversity of Congolese society. It is time for political parties and political actors to take concrete steps to promote women’s participation and close the existing gap