Kinshasa, April 8th, 2026 (CPA).- The promotion of women to decision-making roles has been presented as a key lever for enhancing the effectiveness of public policy and gender equality in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), by an analyst, according to a message posted on Wednesday on her X account. “The promotion of women to decision-making positions is not only a requirement for equality, but also an important lever for strengthening the effectiveness of public action,” has declared Maguy Mbuku, an analyst on women’s issues. The analyst has deplored the low representation of women in provincial executive bodies, despite the principles of parity. She has cited in particular the case of Haut-Katanga, where only one woman sits on a ten-member team. According to Ms Mbuku, who is also a journalist, although the women are the foundation of political parties’ mobilisation and visibility, this active presence does not translate into a strategic position. “What is the role of women in the political parties? To mobilise, welcome, applaud or lead?” she has asked.
The imperative of a strategic presence
For the expert, the issue of gender parity must be addressed at an early stage, from the moment leaders are identified within political parties, noting that despite the fact that the constitution advocates equality, practice remains largely male-dominated, often confining women to social portfolios. Finally, she has called on the women to move beyond the role of mere facilitators and establish themselves in the circles where decisions are made. “As long as women are not visible at the time of appointments, there will continue to be many of them in the parties, but they will be absent from governments,” she has concluded.