The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Mady Biaye, recently spoke with Congolese Prime Minister Judith Suminwa on the challenges facing the Congolese population, with a particular focus on reproductive health, gender-based violence and family planning. This meeting underlines UNFPA’s commitment to supporting the Congolese government’s initiatives to improve the living conditions of women and girls in the country.
The importance of reducing preventable maternal deaths and combating all forms of violence against women was highlighted. It is essential to address the unmet need for family planning, particularly among young people, and to promote comprehensive sexuality education. Indeed, the DRC has a predominantly young population, and it is crucial to ensure access to quality education and to enable young girls to stay in school in order to fully integrate into society.
A key aspect discussed during this meeting was the issue of menstrual management, which can limit access to education for some girls and lead to school absenteeism. It is essential to put in place mechanisms to help these young girls manage this period adequately and not compromise their education.
UNFPA’s commitment is part of a broader framework aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, by ending preventable maternal deaths, eliminating unmet need for family planning and combating gender-based violence and harmful practices against women and girls. This collaboration between UNFPA and the Congolese government is crucial to sustainably improve the situation of women and girls in the DRC.
In conclusion, the discussion between Mady Biaye and Judith Suminwa demonstrates the shared desire to work together to create an environment conducive to the development of women and girls in the DRC. It is essential to continue implementing concrete actions to guarantee reproductive health, women’s autonomy and gender equality in the country.