The DRC accelerates its positive masculinity – Africa Links 24

In the aftermath of the appointment of Ms. Judith Suminwa Tuluka as prime minister, the government spokesperson co-hosted a special briefing on Wednesday, April 3, 2924.

Theme: “Positive masculinity in the DRC: progress made and prospects in the areas of education, health, and the empowerment of Congolese women.”

As speakers, State Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Eve Bazaiba Masudi, and the Minister of Public Health, Hygiene, and Prevention, Dr. Samuel Roger KAMBA MULAMBA. Along with his two colleagues, Minister Muyaya unveiled the content of the promotion of women’s rights, which goes beyond just the presence of women in decision-making bodies but extends to all sectors of life. This truly demonstrates the positive masculinity of the Head of State, Félix Tshisekedi.

According to the State Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Eve Bazaiba, there have been very significant advances.
” If we talk about the percentage of women’s participation in the Government, in 2017, only 10% of women according to UNPF. In 2018, 20%; in 2021, 27%; in 2023, 28%,” she stated.

“At the provincial level, 67 out of 688 deputies are women. In the Senate: 3 women during the transition, whereas the number is higher currently. Women are becoming increasingly competitive beyond political efforts,” she added.

Eve Bazaiba also mentioned some exceptional cases of women in strategic positions in the country.

She pointed out that there are women at the head of certain state institutions and companies: such as RTNC; the Central Bank of Congo and in other state bodies. “In the national police, we have about 10% of women in decision-making bodies, and in the FARDC, we have women in command positions. These advances are explained by laws passed in parliament.

Indeed, before the passage of these laws, women could not hold command positions in the police or the military. Women are also visible in diplomacy and represent the country effectively.

For his part, the Minister of Public Health, Hygiene, and Prevention, Dr. Samuel Roger KAMBA, extensively discussed what is being done for women in the maternity free of charge.

“70 mothers die every day, so 1 woman dies every hour while giving birth. So with maternity free of charge, the Head of State aimed first to remove the barrier for women stuck at maternity wards due to lack of money. Thus, 42 million USD has been made available to address this need of mothers,” explained the health minister.

Eve Bazaiba raised awareness about the seriousness of this maternal mortality rate and invited support for the vision of free maternity for women implemented by the Head of State, a champion of positive masculinity. She also mentioned the Free Education program which has allowed girls to return to school. Eve Bazaiba praised the Excellentia program of the Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi Foundation, which contributes to the development of girls. Finally, she made a reference to the First Lady who recently launched the campaign “We are all equal.”

Communication Cell