### towards enlightened female leadership in Kinshasa: challenges and perspectives
On May 16, 2025, Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, was the scene of a significant event for young women aspiring in leadership. Students from ten official universities had the opportunity to interact with Irène Esambo Diata, Minister Delegate responsible for people living with disabilities. This meeting, organized by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), aimed to strengthen the participants’ leadership skills, an issue that is both vital and complex in the Congolese socio-economic context.
### Female leadership: an urgent need
The initiative of IFES is part of a context where female leadership still remains underrepresented in many sectors in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Despite the advances made in recent years, obstacles have persisted. Young women frequently meet challenges such as lack of models of success, anchored gender stereotypes and systemic inequalities that slow down their access to opportunities.
Irene Esambo stressed the importance of these exchanges by declaring that leadership is built. It is a process that requires not only technical skills, but also a strong capacity for adaptation and resilience in the face of challenges. These elements are crucial in an environment where women often have to navigate through complex socio -political structures.
### The objectives of the training
Through this training, IFES not only seeks to develop the communication capacities of student girls, but also to create a support network. The objective is to constitute a cohort of 40 young leaders in student coordinations, an approach that could have significant impact on civic engagement and gender equality in the country.
This initiative arouses significant questions about the way in which Congolese society can promote a more welcoming environment for women in leadership. What are the strategies that can be implemented to perpetuate this commitment and ensure that these young women can have a real impact in their community and beyond?
### Fate challenges and prospects
Despite the desire displayed during this type of event, it is essential to look at the challenges that remain to be overcome. How can we guarantee that these young women will not only have access to training, but also concrete opportunities to apply what they have learned? It is crucial to support these initiatives by public policies promoting gender equality, continuous education and the creation of professional networks that include women.
Irene Esambo’s message encouraging young girls to “positivate” and have faith in God may seem inspiring, but it also deserves to be nuanced. Positivity must be accompanied by concrete resources and development prospects. Faith and optimism, although important, cannot suffice in the face of systemic challenges which often prohibit the emergence of real female leadership.
### Conclusion
The initiative of IFES in Kinshasa represents an important step towards the empowerment of young women and the promotion of female leadership. However, real change will require a collective commitment – governments, non -governmental organizations and civil society – to create a framework for the development of future leaders. In this way, the challenges to which women come up against their quest for leadership can be transformed into opportunities for improvement and societal change.
The road is still long, but initiatives like this offer precious hope for the construction of a future where women can fully participate in the governance and development of their country.