Women take command of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) in the provinces of former Bandundu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Three women, Georgine Vandam, Bibi Makabu and Régine Biongo, were appointed to the positions of provincial executive secretaries, replacing three men.
This CENI initiative was welcomed by the Provincial Coordination of the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) of Kwilu, which considers it an example of promotion of women to decision-making positions. The provincial coordinator of the CNDH, Émilienne Owele, expresses her expectations towards these nominated women, stressing the importance of their impartiality, honesty and transparency to successfully carry out the electoral process in their respective provinces.
This appointment of women to key positions within the CENI is a significant step forward in the promotion of women’s rights. Émilienne Owele is convinced that this will help change the way of leadership and contribute to better representation of women at all levels of society.
This dynamic of promoting women is crucial as the elections in the DRC approach. It is important to see women not only participate in the electoral process, but also occupy decision-making positions to ensure balanced representation and fairer governance.
These appointments therefore mark an important step in the fight for the promotion of women’s rights in the DRC. Women leaders appointed to the CENI have a responsibility to demonstrate impartiality and honesty in their work, and to work actively to ensure transparent and fair elections in their respective provinces. Hopefully this progress encourages women to become more involved in politics and in all areas of society, thus contributing to true gender equality in the DRC.