Kinshasa, April 12th, 2026 (CPA). “Without women, the State cannot move forward,” has said on Saturday the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), during the closing ceremony of Women’s Rights Month at the Prime Minister’s Office, according to a press release consulted on Sunday at CPA. “Today, I am not simply coming to close a month. I am coming to remind evidence: without women, the State cannot move forward. And in each of these situations, I have seen one thing: when women are there, things move forward better. With greater rigour, greater method, greater balance,” has declared Judith Suminwa, quoted by the press release.
The Head of Government has also taken this opportunity to emphasise on the need to promote equality within the public administration. “I want to see more women where decisions are made. Zero tolerance for harassment. Zero tolerance for discrimination. Serving the State must never be a struggle for dignity. I want that a young girl, somewhere in the DRC, says to herself: ‘I can do it too’,” she has insisted.
Women honoured for their commitment
Judith Suminwa welcomed with cheers by Congolese women
Before the closing of the ceremony, around fifteen women were presented with awards in recognition of their dedication and long service within the civil service. Some have served for as long as 46 years. All the participants were also honoured during the day. In a particularly moving moment, the women of the Prime Minister’s Office wished to express their gratitude to the Prime Minister through a deeply symbolic gesture.
In an atmosphere imbued with pride and respect, they presented her with gifts rooted in Congolese traditions: a tapestry from the Kilubukila workshops, whose weavers and raffia come from Kongo Central; an original piece representing over six weeks of work done by hand. In addition, a bench made of Kuba fabric, woven by the Mweka craft cooperative and designed by Omoy Design, was presented to the Head of Government. Those meaningful gifts respond to the Prime Minister’s call to support local creative industries, whilst championing artistic excellence.
An example of leadership that inspires and that is followed. Moments of sharing and joy were punctuated by a brilliant performance by the playwright and comedian Jolie Kalunga, alias ‘Maman Kalunga’, and her troupe. This ceremony was attended by over 700 women from the departments, agencies, units and bodies attached to or under the authority of the Prime Minister’s Office. The theme was: ‘Women’s leadership at the heart of the public service’. Through this initiative, Judith Suminwa reaffirms her commitment to improve the performance of civil servants, as set out in the fifth pillar of the government’s programme, which aims to enhance the efficiency of public services.