Increase Civic Participation of Congolese Women

Location: Democratic Republic of Congo

Background

Congolese women are not effectively represented and have never fully participated in the governance of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). No woman has ever been a head of state or served as Prime Minister. Women constitute 63% of the DRC electorate but they represent just 7.2% of leadership positions in the government. The government, national assembly, many major institutions, civil society organizations, and indeed many female-focused service providers are run by men in the DRC.

Several obstacles stand in the way of women becoming leaders in the DRC. These include cultural preconceptions that men bear the "burden" of civic duty and the practical familial responsibilities that exist for many women. Lack of female education, socially embedded male dominance, fear of physical security and a myriad of economic obstacles further add to this seemly insurmountable problem facing women in achieving equal participation in Congolese society.

Through the formation of community women's groups and mobilization, training on women's rights and the organization of awareness campaigns to promote the inclusion of women in all forms of local governance, SOFDI is addressing all levels of society in the Kazimia area. By conducting a study of all existing laws and policies, they will then educate women to ensure the implementation of these laws. Through community dialogue and motivational meetings focusing on women's rights and their participation in politics, they will have an opportunity to demonstrate how knowing one's rights and enforcing them will lead to greater political strength. This directly impacts issues of food security, personal safety, economic empowerment and general health and wellbeing.

Project Objectives

To increase meaningful participation of women especially from marginalized communities in local governance the Solidarité des Femmes pour le Développement Intégral (SOFDI) will undertake to implement the following objectives through a series of targeted training efforts:

Promote women's human rights through training of monitors in Bukavu, Uvira, and Kazimia South-Kivu Province, in the DR.Congo.
Promote at least 50% of women representation in public decision-making
Combat violence and ensure zero tolerance for all forms of discrimination against women and girls. This will include providing temporary shelter and assistance to the victims of domestic violence and rape, as well as the rehabilitation of girl child soldiers.
Promote leadership transformation by providing space for women's participation and representation in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, consolidation of peace and the reconstruction of DRC
Promote good governance, transparency and democracy and enhance public awareness on gender issues through the media.
To build and strengthen women's coalitions for women's empowerment

Project Partner: