The Democratic Republic of Congo recently marked a significant step forward in recognizing and celebrating positive masculinity, with the institutionalization of a national day dedicated to this crucial aspect of gender equality. This decision, taken during the Council of Ministers on October 11, 2024, represents an important step in promoting women’s rights and gender equality.
The announcement was welcomed by the Network of Men Committed to Gender Equality in the DRC (Rheeg-RDC), which has played a key role in raising awareness and advocating for positive masculinity. According to Carlin Vese Pinzi, National President of Rheeg, the day aims to recognize and celebrate men who actively support gender equality and social justice. He also emphasizes the importance of highlighting the achievements of men committed to promoting gender equality.
By including the National Day of Positive Masculinity in the official calendar, the Congolese government is demonstrating its commitment to gender equality. This initiative is in line with the National Strategy for the Promotion of Positive Masculinity (SNPM+), adopted in July of the same year, which constitutes an essential frame of reference for all actors working in this field in the DRC.
The celebration of positive masculinity helps to highlight men and boys who work for gender equality and social justice. It provides an opportunity to recognize the efforts of male champions of positive masculinity, including President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, the first champion of masculinity in Africa and a fervent defender of women’s rights and dignity.
The success of this approach is the result of close collaboration between various partners, including the Ministry of Gender, Family and Children, the Mixed Technical Cell for Positive Masculinity, as well as organizations such as Enabel, the “Batonga du Bénin/Nos voix compte” Foundation and “Si Jeunesse sacré féministe (SJS)”. These collective efforts demonstrate the will of Congolese society to promote positive models of masculinity and to foster greater gender equality.
In conclusion, the institutionalization of the National Day of Positive Masculinity in the Democratic Republic of Congo is a major step forward in the fight for gender equality and the promotion of positive masculinity. It demonstrates the will of the authorities and civil society to advance women’s rights and create a more inclusive and egalitarian environment for all.