Kinshasa, April 7th, 2026 (CPA) – As provincial executives take shape across the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a stark observation emerges: Congolese women remain the “driving force” of political parties, yet are excluded from decision-making positions. This reality, illustrated by the recent appointment of only one woman among ten ministers in Haut-Katanga, highlights the urgent need to transition from grassroots activism to top-level leadership.
The paradox of the “base” and the “top”
In the Congolese political landscape, women are often at the forefront of mobilizations, airport receptions and grassroots campaigns. They constitute the numerical base and vital energy of political parties. However, when it comes to the allocation of governance responsibilities, this dynamism rarely translates into ministerial positions. In Haut-Katanga, the appointment of Coco Kanku as the sole minister in charge of Gender, Family and Children is symptomatic. This “confinement” of women to so-called social ministries reinforces the perception of symbolic leadership, far removed from sovereign or economic sectors.
A legal framework seeking effective implementation
Yet, the legal framework is clear. Article 14 of the Constitution and Law No. 15/013 of August 1st, 2015 on the implementation of women’s rights require equitable representation. This legal framework, which promises parity, continues to face resistance in practice during provincial appointments, hindered by political patriarchy and power calculations within party groupings.
From symbolic presence to real power
The time for mere advocacy has passed; the focus must now shift to self-assertion. Women’s leadership will not be granted through administrative decisions—it must be earned from within. A key question remains: are women present in the offices where candidate lists are decided? To break the glass ceiling, female activists must demand greater representation within decision-making bodies of their own parties. Without reforming internal nomination processes, women will remain perpetual “mobilizers” serving male-dominated hierarchies.
Ultimately, women’s leadership in the DRC will only achieve lasting autonomy if women move from being a “support force” to becoming a “force of proposal and leadership.” The challenge for 2026 lies in transforming constitutional promises into concrete governmental realities.