Kinshasa, August 4th, 2025 (CPA).- Inclusive family dialogue was recommended as an essential tool in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) within communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during an interview on Monday in Kinshasa with a social activist. ‘Inclusive family dialogue is the first line of defence against gender-based violence. Families must learn to talk about everything, to listen to children, women and men, without judgement or taboos. It is a fundamental task that begins at home,’ has said Ruth Mbuyi, vice-president of the Walim Foundation. ‘It is time to promote a culture of mutual dialogue and listening in our homes. This means that everyone, regardless of age or gender, must be able to express their feelings and make their voice heard in a caring and respectful environment,’ she has added.
Ms Mbuyi emphasised that education on equality begins in childhood, within the family circle, where parents are called upon to transmit values of fairness, tolerance and responsibility. ‘The majority of cases of GBV are rooted in silence, unspoken issues, misunderstood authority relationships and a lack of communication within families. In some communities, gender stereotypes and fear of social judgement are major barriers to family communication,’ she said. In DRC, GBV remains a serious problem. According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), thousands of cases are reported each year, with a high prevalence in the family environment. The Ministry in charge of Gender’s national strategic plan focuses on prevention through education and intergenerational dialogue.