Women with disabilities receive donation for income-generating activities

Kinshasa, 20 July 20^th, 2025 (CPA).– A donation of food and other items was given to women with disabilities by an NGO to enable them to set up income-generating activities (IGAs) during a sharing day organized on Sunday in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). « The donation was made according to the sector of activity of each of the beneficiaries. We gave freezers to those in the agri-food processing sector, fresh food, bales of second-hand clothing, cartons of dairy products, cans of oil, and baskets of smoked fish to enable these women with disabilities to start small businesses for their empowerment ,‘ said Christine Mbelo, president of the association Women actors and development «  (Women, Actors and Development). ‘Women are one of the driving forces of society. Their contribution to society is significant. So let’s work towards their independence by providing them with the resources they need to combat their vulnerability. That is why we say that the informal sector plays an important role in the global economy and in reducing poverty and inequality,’ she added. Ms Mbelo called on women to work for their independence and to combat vulnerability by equipping themselves with the resources necessary for their fulfillment. « The empowerment of women with disabilities is essential to the achievement of sustainable goals, because behind those crutches lies a strong woman. Behind that white cane is a heroine, behind that absent language is a great conversationalist, behind that complexion bleached by the absence of melanin is a determined fighter, and behind that lack of mental capacity is a discreet intellectualism, » she emphasized.  This social activist invited her sisters to turn the page on begging in favor of empowerment through skills training and the gift she possesses through the process of empowerment. « Women with disabilities must regain their place as mothers and ensure a healthy life for their children. Despite their physical condition, they are as resilient as men and must live in complementarity with their male counterparts, » she said, before expressing her wish to see women with disabilities become active and productive in their empowerment. The association ‘Women actors and development’ is based in the commune of N’sele, in eastern Kinshasa. This donation is part of the ‘Bonzenga’ project, which supports the socio-economic integration of single mothers and women with disabilities who are victims of multiple forms of violence, with a view to empowering young single mothers and women with disabilities. It aims to improve the living conditions of vulnerable people so that they can become self-sufficient. This project also works to raise awareness of legal texts and instruments relating to people living with disabilities. ACP/