Category: Sociocultural

** Mobilization for women’s rights: a call for urgent action **

While the third week of mobilizations for women’s rights is in full swing, the speech of the UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres, raises essential questions about the need to act beyond March 8 celebrations. Based on revealing statistics, he insists on the importance of collective prosperity, saying that when women are advancing, everyone benefits. However, persistent inequalities, especially in developing countries, show that progress is still far from sufficient.

Guterres also warns of violence against women, with a disturbing figure reminiscent that each ten minutes, a woman is killed by a loved one. To eradicate this scourge, he calls for a preventive education and an overhaul of cultural norms. Meanwhile, online activism, although powerful, must be accompanied by concrete actions rather than staying frozen in the superficiality of social networks.

This week must be the starting point for a collective transformation. In order for words to translate into real actions, it is imperative to integrate intersectional solutions and to move from theory to action. The future of women’s rights is in our hands, and it’s time to take up the challenge to break the stagnation of progress.

### Pope Francis: a symbol of resilience in Lent time

As the Lent approach, a period of reflection and renunciation for Catholics, the fragile health of Pope Francis arouses echoes of solidarity around the world, especially in Nigeria. While parishioners come together to pray for the Holy Father, Father Boniface Ugwo recalls the importance of this community united by faith in the face of adversity.

At 88, the Pope, faced with various health problems, embodies human vulnerability, raising questions about the future of papacy and the Church in the face of growing aging of religious leaders. Celebrated with ashes, this period is the occasion for collective introspection on solidarity and contemporary challenges.

While prayers for François circulate around the world, Lent becomes more than a simple ritual: it turns into a call for shared responsibility and empathy, while communities, nourished by its resilience, reinforce their links to the struggles of our time.

### The response of Congolese architects to humanitarian crises: a vision beyond borders

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the humanitarian crisis intensifies, in particular in the East, where perpetual conflicts leave millions of Congolese in distress. The National Order of Congo Architects (ONA), led by its President Fiyou Ndondoboni Monkoso, calls for an architectural response to humanitarian challenges. Architects, at the heart of reconstruction, have an essential role to play. Their contribution goes beyond the construction of buildings: it implies the creation of public spaces, sustainable shelters and urban rehabilitation, taking into account local economic and environmental realities.

Promising initiatives emerge, like those of the architect Koffi Tchibinda, who develops raw earth houses, combining innovation and sustainability. The mobilization of resources, the inclusion of women and young people in decision -making processes and the creation of local committees are essential to ensure the sustainability of projects. By adopting a global and collaborative approach, Congolese architects can transform crises into opportunities, contributing to the resilience of communities and the rebirth of a cultural identity deeply affected by war. The time has come to reinvent architecture as a tool for peace and social cohesion.

** The first forum of African youth publishers: a literary renaissance in fertile terrains **

From March 6 to 8, 2024, Lomé, in Togo, will be the scene of a decisive stage for youth edition on the African continent with the holding of the first forum of youth publishers in Africa (FEJA). Bringing together fifty-two publishers of sixteen countries, this event aims to transform the literary youth landscape into Africa, a growing sector but still vulnerable.

Beyond the simple promotion of children’s books, the forum will deal with crucial questions: distribution, production costs and the perception of children’s literature. Emblematic figures, such as Ravaka Mihamina from Madagascar, underline the importance of collaborations to enrich the catalogs and promote co -edition.

By presenting a dynamic of sharing and cooperation, the FEJA aims to build a solid network between African publishers, allowing a diversification of literary offers and the valuation of authentic stories that resonate with young readers.

Discussions on the educational role of children’s literature will also be essential. The actors present will seek to convince the public and the institutions that these books have not only a recreational function, but that they are real vectors of cognitive and cultural development.

In short, Feja represents an unprecedented opportunity to revitalize the youth edition in Africa and to make the voice of a new generation of readers heard. The future seems promising for these stories that will feed the identity and imagination of future leaders on the continent.

### The MediaCongo code: a digital identity revolution in the DRC

In a world where digital life takes a preponderant place, the management of online identity becomes crucial. The MediaCongo code presents itself as an innovative “digital passport”, offering each user of fatshimemetry.org a unique distinction by an alphanumeric combination of seven characters. This system not only promotes individuality and belonging to a community, but it also promises to improve the quality of online exchanges through simplified comments.

Through this initiative, the platform aims to revitalize the Congolese socio -cultural landscape by allowing everyone to make their voice heard, especially to young people who are often marginalized. However, data security and data protection challenges remain. In short, the MediaCongo code is not just a simple identification tool; It is the symbol of an evolution towards a more inclusive and participative digital space, essential for the future of the Congo.

** Pope Francis: a health test that reminds us of our collective vulnerability **

The fragile health of Pope Francis, recently hospitalized for severe pneumonia, transcends the religious framework to shed light on the human condition. At 88, witness to modern struggles, he embodies a new image of spirituality: that of resilience in the face of adversity. His convalescence becomes a mirror of our vulnerability, calling for solidarity and empathy in times of crisis. While he calls to pray for the many suffering around the world, his situation recalls the urgent need to improve health systems and come together for a common cause. More than a religious leader, François is the bearer of a message of unity and hope, encouraging everyone to reflect on the value of life and the power of collective prayer.

** united in the storm: towards national cohesion in the DRC **

The recent intervention by Jacquemain Shabani, Vice-Prime Minister of the Interior in the DRC, highlights a fundamental issue: the need for unity in the face of the stigma of Swahiliphones communities. In a country bruised by decades of conflicts, Shabani stresses that division is not only resulting from ethnic tensions, but is fueled by political manipulations and external influences.

The ethnolinguistic wealth of the DRC, often considered an asset, becomes a source of conflict in a precarious socio-economic context where more than 70 % of the population lives below the threshold of poverty. Shabani calls for an inclusive approach, focused on education and interethnic dialogue, to counter disinformation and promote coexistence.

By promoting a common account and promoting solidarity, Congolese can transform the scars of the past into a force for the future. Rediscovering their national identity, faced with the storm of disinformation, could be the key to building a peaceful and prosperous future. Shabani’s voice is a real call to hope, an invitation to rewrite the history of a country rich in its diversity together but weakened by its divisions.

### Charli XCX: The pop revolution in the heart of the Brit Awards 2025

During the Brit Awards 2025, Charli XCX shone by winning five awards, including the album of the year for his daring work ** “Brat.” ** More than a simple ceremony, this emblematic event highlighted a new musical era where creativity and assertion of oneself take precedence. Charli redefines the “BRAT” for a generation eager for freedom and pride, positioning itself as a strong voice in a landscape where conformity has long dominated.

Conjugating pop, feminism and a brilliant aesthetic, the singer wins in the face of giants like The Cure and Dua Lipa, thus marking a generational change. Thanks to memorable performances, the evening also celebrated other emerging artists, signaling growing diversity in music.

In short, Charli XCX is not content to shine on stage; It embodies a movement towards an authentic expression and a cultural revolution. The question remains: how far will its influence extend in the years to come?

** The poetry of Dambudzo Marechera: a trip through trauma and resilience **

Dambudzo Marechera, an emblematic figure in Zimbabwean literature, takes us into the depths of the human soul with its collection “cemetery of the spirit”. This recently translated collection compiles poems that go beyond words, revealing the complexity of his experience marked by trauma, in particular the loss of his father. Marechera, often described as “terrible child”, merges violence and tenderness, offering a mosaic of themes ranging from sexuality to urban life, while confronting the hope and disillusionment that emerge from the post-indungal Zimbabwean socio-political context. Through his artistic commitment, he created a powerful dialogue between his personal struggles and those of his people, making his poetry a space of resistance and a universal reflection on identity and the quest for meaning. “Cemetery of the Spirit” thus becomes an unforgettable immersion in an existence where pain, beauty and resilience intertwine, inspiring generations in search of truth and meaning.

** Fespaco 2025: an emergence for African cinema and its contemporary challenges **

The Fespaco 2025, an emblematic festival of African cinema, recently honored the Burkinabé director Dani Kouyaté for his film *Katanga, La Danse des Scorpions *, stressing the importance of African accounts in a constant socio-political context. This third golden stallion from Yennenga for Burkina Faso recalls the richness and commitment of local filmmakers, while questioning power relations. At the same time, the Sudanese refugee crisis in Chad highlights the humanitarian challenges that the continent faces, while events like the Rwanda tour refer to a quest for hope and prosperity. Through cinema, sport and art, Africa reinvents itself, connecting old struggles to modern aspirations. These stories, intertwined with political and social realities, invite the spectator to get involved in an essential dialogue on African identity and his contemporary challenges.