Fatshimetrie, October 23, 2024. A commendable initiative has recently emerged in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, aimed at empowering women and young mothers through training on the creation of income-generating activities. Indeed, 100 women and young mothers from an association in the commune of N’djili had the opportunity to participate in this training which took place from October 17 to 23.
The project “promotion of the rights and socio-economic empowerment of vulnerable girls and women” was set up with the aim of helping these women become independent and socially integrated by creating and managing income-generating activities. Monique Kashama, coordinator of the association “Agir pour les jeunes” (AJ), underlines the importance of this training which aims to break the stereotypes associated with young mothers, often stigmatized by society.
Beyond the creation of economic activities, the training also addressed essential topics such as sexual and reproductive health. It is essential to equip these women with knowledge that will allow them to take care of themselves and make informed choices for their personal development.
The practical aspect of the training was also highlighted, since the participants received installation kits to help them start their businesses. It is encouraging to see that these women now have the necessary tools to launch into entrepreneurship and work towards their own financial independence.
It is essential that these women are able to capitalize on the lessons received and the skills acquired during this training. By encouraging them to develop a new mentality focused on initiative and entrepreneurship, they are given the opportunity to fully flourish and become agents of change in their community.
The authorities and society as a whole also have a role to play in supporting young mothers. It is crucial to invest in their education, vocational training and to put in place protection mechanisms against early marriage and gender-based violence.
Ultimately, this training was a real opportunity for these women to take their destiny into their own hands and build a better future for themselves. By working together to break down the social and economic barriers they face, we are contributing to building a more inclusive and equitable society for all.
May this initiative serve as an example and encourage other similar actions to empower women and girls in the DRC and beyond. Investing in women’s education and training is an essential step towards a fairer and more equal world for all its members.