Are you passionate about current affairs? Is following the latest trends and informing others your forte? Then you are in the right place! In this article, we will talk about current events in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and more particularly the empowerment of women in the field of entrepreneurship.
According to a report from UN Women DRC, women represent 30% of small and medium-sized businesses worldwide. However, they only have access to 1% of public procurement contracts. This gender imbalance reflects the structural obstacles that women entrepreneurs must overcome. In addition, they are often confronted with different forms of violence.
To remedy this situation, numerous studies and surveys are carried out to promote women’s empowerment. Among them, the doctoral thesis of Professor Allegra Kabamba Mbuyi entitled “Microfinance institutions and living conditions of women in a context of economic crisis in Kinshasa, DRC”.
This thesis studied the impact of financial inclusion through microfinance institutions on the lives of women in Kinshasa. The results showed that although access to microfinance institutions is increasing in the DRC, this does not necessarily translate into improved living conditions for women.
Faced with these findings, economic policies and reforms are necessary to promote the empowerment of women entrepreneurs. Professor Allegra Kabamba proposes several measures, including taking into account cultural norms to combat gender disparities, strengthening female empowerment at all levels, and raising women’s awareness of their abilities and potential.
It is also important to accompany women in their initiatives and support them in their projects. Women entrepreneurs continue to face discrimination, violence and pay inequalities. To change this reality, they must unite and assert themselves intellectually and politically.
A World Bank report also highlights the difficulties faced by women in the labor market in the DRC. Gender gaps undermine the country’s inclusive economic growth. It is therefore essential to reduce these inequalities by promoting women’s access to salaried jobs, improving working conditions in the agricultural sector and fighting against wage disparities.
In conclusion, the empowerment of women entrepreneurs in the DRC is a major issue to promote the economic and social development of the country. Policies and concrete measures are needed to combat gender inequalities, promote female entrepreneurship and improve women’s living conditions.. By working together, we can contribute to a more equitable and inclusive world for all.