The DRC Girls’ Forum, held in Kinshasa on Friday, July 25, has established itself as a must-attend event for the empowerment and leadership of young girls in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This event, which brought together 100 young girls aged 13 to 24 from the DRC and 12 other African countries, marked the beginning of an ambitious initiative aimed at strengthening the skills and capacities of the participants.
During this Forum, the participants strongly expressed their commitment to the empowerment of young girls and called for increased support from civil society organizations, United Nations agencies and public authorities. This mobilization demonstrates the determination of young girls to take charge of their own destiny and play an active role in the development of their community.
In November 2023, a 9-month training was launched for the 81 participants of the DRC Girls’ Forum. This training, which aims to strengthen the skills of young girls in key areas such as leadership, financial autonomy and decision-making, represents a crucial step in the process of empowering young girls in the DRC.
The mid-term evaluation carried out during this year’s meeting allowed participants to measure the progress made and identify the challenges to be overcome in order to achieve their goals. This moment of introspection also allowed the young girls to reaffirm their determination to make their voices heard and defend their rights.
In conclusion, the DRC Girls’ Forum is an essential platform to promote the empowerment and leadership of young girls in the DRC and in Africa. By supporting the initiatives of these young girls and providing them with the resources necessary to realize their full potential, we are helping to build a better and more inclusive future for all.