Kinshasa, August 5th, 2026 (CPA).- Women in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been invited to identify their common priorities and to draw up consensus-based proposals to ensure their effective participation in the national dialogue, during the opening on Wednesday of the morning session organised in Kinshasa.
“The announced national dialogue represents an opportunity for women from the ruling party, the opposition and civil society to consult with one another, identify their common priorities and formulate consensus-based proposals to ensure the effective and influential participation of women and girls in this process,” has said Martina Ndi Berinyuy, representing the head of MONUSCO’s Gender Section. She has noted that, in this context, MONUSCO, through its Gender Section, reaffirms its readiness to support, in accordance with its mandate, all initiatives aimed at promoting the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in peace and decision-making processes.
According to her, women’s participation is not merely a matter of justice or equality; it is a key factor in the effectiveness and sustainability of peace processes.
She has emphasised that this principle is enshrined in Security Council ‘Resolution 1325’. of the United Nations Security Council and the Women, Peace and Security agenda, which call on States to ensure the full, equal and meaningful participation of women at all stages of conflict prevention, resolution and political dialogue. “We express our hope that this day will lead to strong, realistic and consensual recommendations capable of enriching the announced dialogue and contributing to the strengthening of peace, national cohesion and inclusive democratic governance,” has specified Ms Ndi. “It is therefore essential to use this reality as a lever for change, as no truly inclusive dialogue can be envisaged without the full and complete participation of women, who represent more than half of the Congolese population and play a decisive role within their families, their communities and the institutions of the Republic,” she has specified.
Despite progress in the legal framework, women remain under-represented in decision-making, mediation, negotiation and political dialogue. This morning’s roundtable discussion, focusing on ‘women and the call for political dialogue in DRC’, was organised by the Forum of Women Citizens Committed to Governance, Democracy and Development (FOFECEGDD).