Fatshimetrie, October 13, 2024 – At the heart of Kinshasa lies an urgent appeal to the Congolese authorities and all those who aspire to positive change in society: to improve the living conditions of people living with disabilities in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This cry from the heart comes from Decxy Masena Moba, president of the Movement for the Awakening of People Living with Disabilities (MRPVH), who emphasizes the urgent need to take into account the vulnerability of this too often neglected population. It is time, he says, for decision-makers and people of good will to join forces to enable people living with disabilities to flourish within the community and fully contribute to the development of the country.
The MRPVH, aware of this crucial mission, is committed to tirelessly advocating on behalf of people living with disabilities with the competent authorities. Its primary objective is to ensure their empowerment and supervision, in order to help them become full-fledged actors in building a more inclusive and united Congo.
In just ten months of action, the movement has already taken concrete measures, such as granting plots of land to some PLWH to ensure their safety. But these efforts remain insufficient given the scale of the challenges these people face on a daily basis. This is why it is imperative that the government follow suit and intensify its actions in favor of this segment of the Congolese population that is often marginalized and stigmatized.
The MRPVH aims to be the voice of these stifled voices, of these dreams restricted by disability. Its essential mission is to fight against the mistreatment, rejection and precariousness in which many PLWH are plunged in the DRC. Each gesture, each action undertaken by the movement aims to restore dignity and hope to these men and women whose strength and resilience are too often unrecognized.
Together, united in a common spirit of solidarity and commitment, we can create a fairer, more inclusive society, where each individual, regardless of their disability, has their place and role to play. It is by valuing diversity and giving everyone the means to fully flourish that we will build a brighter future for all Congolese.
In this perspective, the MRPVH calls for collective awareness and general mobilization so that difference is no longer synonymous with marginalization, but on the contrary, with richness and complementarity. Because it is in the acceptance of our fragilities and our differences that the true strength of our humanity lies.