The role of women in development in the Democratic Republic of Congo is a crucial issue that requires a deep introspection of Congolese society. During a recent debate organized by Top Congo FM and DW in Kinshasa, voices were raised to call on Congolese women to adopt new behaviors to achieve true equality with men.
Grâce Lula, coordinator of the Permanent Framework for Consultation of Congolese Women, stressed the need to abolish degrading customs that demean women and keep them in a position of inferiority compared to men. She insisted on the importance of rebuilding more egalitarian social models by educating children, girls and boys, in an equitable manner and by valuing girls in the same way as boys.
This social reconstruction requires investment in education and training, as well as in exposure to different cultures and ideas, which can be fostered by travel, reading and other enriching activities. It is essential that this change in mentalities begins at home and then spreads to Congolese society as a whole.
Gabriella Mwimba Budra, a specialist in gender equality issues in public administration, highlighted the persistent challenges that limit the full participation of women at all levels of society. She welcomed government initiatives to promote gender equality, but stressed the need to remove the barriers that prevent women from accessing positions of responsibility and contributing fully to the country’s development.
Men also have a crucial role to play in promoting gender equality. Clément Dinda Beya, Executive Secretary of the Network of Men Committed to Gender Equality in the DRC (Rheeg-DRC), stressed the importance of combating violence against women and actively supporting gender equality in all areas of life.
Finally, it is essential that public policies in the DRC fully integrate the dimension of gender equality and commit to promoting concrete measures to ensure equitable participation of women and men at all levels of society.
Ultimately, the issue of gender equality in the DRC is a major challenge that requires collective mobilization of all actors in society to put an end to persistent inequalities and build a more just and equitable future for all.