Kinshasa, April 12th, 2026 (CPA).- A call has been launched to womenfolk of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to break the silence on depression in order to promote women’s mental health, in a grandstand on Sunday in Kinshasa, the country’s capital.
“Depression exists; it is not a whim. It is not a weakness. In the DRC, many women suffer in silence. Speaking out can save lives. Listening can help. Dear women, let us take care of our mental health. Let us break the silence. Let us normalise asking for help, let us take action, above all in our communities,” has declared Kikina Mungul Diaka, founder of the “Coup de gueule de la femme” grandstand. According to her, depression can affect anyone, even those who smile every day. It causes constant fatigue, deep sadness and isolation.
“Depression is a silent reality, but a deeply destructive one. Many women and young girls carry invisible suffering behind a functional smile. That smile is not a sign of strength… it is often a survival mechanism,” has said Ms Mungul Diaka, adding that in the DRC, several factors exacerbate this reality: the weight of responsibilities, gender-based violence (GBV), particularly domestic violence, the cultural silence surrounding mental health, and the lack of safe spaces where people can be heard. “Many do not ask for help, not by choice… but for fear of being judged, misunderstood or rejected. Depression is not a lack of faith. It is not a weakness. It is a form of suffering that deserves to be listened to, supported and met with compassion,” has explained the women’s rights advocate. She has invited women to create spaces where they can speak without shame, as, in her view, listening sincerely can save a life.