Since the official launch of the “She Leads” program of the “Ndeke” project by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) in the Democratic Republic of Congo on November 19, 2024, a new dynamic has been established to strengthen women’s participation in political and electoral processes.
This ambitious project aims to equip women with essential skills and knowledge so that they can play a central role in the country’s political life. Evelyne Mulemangabo, in charge of gender and inclusion issues at IFES, emphasizes the importance of training women at different levels, from beginner to advanced, in order to make them more effective and better integrate them into the management of the country.
As part of the pilot phase, 20 women from South Kivu were selected, including political actors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and other varied profiles. These women, like Mamy Wema, are driven by an unwavering determination to defend women’s participation in political and electoral affairs.
This “She Leads” program is part of the “Ndeke” project implemented by IFES and funded by the British government via the FCDO. It is intended to be deployed over a period of 6 months in 6 pilot provinces of the DRC, including South Kivu, North Kivu, Tshopo, Kasai, Kasai Central and Kasai Oriental.
In South Kivu in particular, the provincial government has expressed its commitment to support this program, considering it a priority in the fourth strategy of the first pillar of the humanitarian action plan for the year 2024. This initiative promises concrete results in the emancipation of women at all levels of society.
The overall objective of “She Leads” is clear: to enable women to take their full place in the political and electoral sphere in the DRC. With appropriate training and quality supervision, these women will be able to contribute significantly to building a more egalitarian and inclusive society. This program represents a major step forward in the fight for gender equality and the promotion of women’s participation in public life.
In short, “She Leads” embodies the hope of a future where women’s voices will be fully heard and their leadership can be fully expressed in the service of the general interest. This project is a unique opportunity to change mentalities and build together a fairer and more balanced future for all citizens of the DRC.