During their recent meeting at the African Union Commission, Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi, the First Lady of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Bineta Diop, Special Envoy of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, discussed the achievements of Madame Tshisekedi in favor of the DRC. One of the main areas discussed was that of health, where the First Lady was particularly committed to the care of sickle cell patients and the fight against this serious disease which affects the Congolese population, particularly women.
Bineta Diop praised the initiatives of Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi, in particular her involvement in the fight against violence against women, through the initiative of the National Reparation Fund for Victims of Violence (Fonarev). She stressed that this model deserved to be replicated in other African countries, so that First Ladies can also support their husbands in African Union initiatives.
Bineta Diop also advocated for greater participation of Congolese women in political decision-making, in particular by encouraging them to become more involved in negotiations for lasting peace. She called on Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi to take initiatives for better representation of women in this area, by working with political parties and the President of the Republic.
The African Union delegation also plans to visit Goma as part of its mission in favor of women. This visit will allow us to better understand the challenges that Congolese women face, but also to highlight local initiatives for their empowerment and development.
In short, the meeting between Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi and Bineta Diop was an opportunity to highlight the actions of the Congolese First Lady in favor of the health and well-being of women, as well as to underline the importance of participation of women in political decision-making. This meeting demonstrates the African Union’s commitment to supporting initiatives in favor of women and promoting their role in building a better future for Africa.