News: The challenges of women’s participation in legislative elections in the DRC
A few days before the closure of the reception desks for national legislative elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the commitment to gender parity remains a major challenge. Women struggle to position themselves as candidates, despite the training and advocacy conducted in their favour.
Mimy Mopunga, member of the Permanent Consultation Framework for Congolese Women (CAFCO), takes stock of the actions taken to encourage women’s participation. Training has been offered to potential candidates to prepare them for the challenges they may encounter and to motivate them to stand for elective positions. However, the current statistics are disappointing in terms of applications from women.
Several factors may explain this hesitation among women. It is not a question of training, because they have been trained and equipped. It is not a question of strategy either, because they have been supported in this area. It is more a question of means to lead an electoral campaign and a fear linked to the uncertainty of the elections. The women are worried about reliving the situation of 2016, when some had paid the deposit but there were no elections in the same year. Consequently, many women have abandoned their ambitions, discouraged by the current political context.
Despite these obstacles, Mimy Mopunga encourages women to take the risk. She reminds us that success is not without taking risks and encourages women to dare to present themselves, even in this uncertain context. It is essential to continue to promote the participation of women in politics, as they bring a unique perspective and a necessary voice in decision-making.
To conclude, it is essential to support and encourage women’s participation in legislative elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Gender parity is a crucial issue for balanced representation and democratic governance