Women from around the World
Different women from all over the world met in Brussels on June 7 and 8, 2023, firstly at the European Parliament and then at the Belgian Federal Parliament, which they called the Women Political Leaders Summit, whose aim was to promote female participation in political affairs. At their meeting, which was their 10th summit, the association of Women Political Leaders focused on the representation and participation of women in politics; their objectives were maintaining peace, sexism in politics, and solutions to achieve greater equality. Equal participation of women and men in political and public life is important to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, including the United Nations SDG, by 2030.
Women’s participation in democratic elections is a fundamental element for strengthening democracy and gender equality around the world. In many countries, women continue to face significant obstacles to exercising their political rights, despite legislative advances and international commitments to parity. Feminism, as a movement fighting for equal rights between the sexes, plays an imparative role in promoting this participation, challenging social norms and advocating for inclusive political reforms. This fight for equitable political representation is essential, not only to guarantee women’s rights but also to ensure a truly representative democracy, where the voices of all categories of population can be heard and taken into account.
Feminism in Democratic Republic of Congo
The current Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Judith Suminwa Tuluka, the first woman to hold the post of Prime Minister, was appointed on April 1, 2024, by the President of the Republic, Felix Tshisekedi Tshilombo. In the political context of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the issue of women’s participation in democratic elections remains a crucial issue for the development of democracy and human rights. Although significant progress has been made over the years, many challenges remain to ensure equal participation of women.
Feminism, as a social and political movement, plays a decisive role in this fight for parity, representation, and the empowerment of women. The DRC, like many other African countries, has a political landscape where the majority of elected officials and political leaders are men. In national, provincial, and local elections, women are often underrepresented, despite efforts to integrate more women into politics. The figures from the last legislative elections in 2018 in the DRC reflect this reality: of the 500 seats to be filled in the National Women, or around 9% occupied assembly, only 49. Although this proportion is higher than in some neighboring countries, it remains insufficient to reflect the composition of the population and the aspirations of Congolese women. Several factors explain this low participation of women in politics. First, there are cultural and social obstacles.
In many communities in the DRC, women are still perceived as secondary figures in politics, often relegated to domestic roles. Gender stereotypes that underestimate women’s abilities to lead and make decisions are deeply rooted in society. In addition, women’s access to politics is also limited by structural obstacles, such as the lack of financial support to run electoral campaigns, political violence, and sometimes even unfair electoral laws. In the DRC, for example, although the 2006 Constitution guarantees equal rights for men and women, the implementation mechanisms remain insufficient to ensure true equality in political representation. Obstacles to Women’s Participation in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Role of Feminism in the Evolution of the Situation
Feminism has played a vital role in the evolution of women’s participation in democratic elections, in the DRC as in other countries. Feminist movements have not only raised public awareness of gender inequalities in politics but have also actively advocated for legislative reforms
and public policies that promote female representation. Congolese feminist organizations, such as the Congolese Women’s League for Development (LIFC) and the Platform of Women Politicians of the DRC, have been at the forefront of the fight for women’s rights in the political sphere. These groups have helped to promote better representation of women, whether in political parties, in electoral campaigns, or within public institutions.
They have highlighted key issues, such as the importance of effective parity and the need to ensure a political environment free of violence and gender discrimination. Feminist activists have also played a major role in pressuring the government to respect and implement national and international commitments, particularly regarding quotas for women in elections. Their work has helped advance laws such as the 2010 Parity Law, which requires a minimum representation of women on electoral lists and in political bodies. Although progress has been slow, these laws have marked a turning point in the inclusiveness of women in Congolese political life. Feminist engagement has also translated into concrete actions aimed at overcoming the socio-cultural and economic obstacles that women face.
Women’s access to funding for their campaigns, their safety from political violence, and the fight against gender stereotypes are at the heart of activists’ concerns. Female figures like Prime Minister Judith embody this fight for better representation of women in the highest decision-making spheres, thus inspiring new generations of women to get involved in politics. Feminism in the DRC continues to play a catalytic role in transforming mentalities, expanding women’s political rights, and building a more inclusive democracy. While the path remains fraught with pitfalls, the progress made demonstrates the power of feminist mobilization to advance gender equality in democratic elections.
Towards a more inclusive political future in DRC
The DRC is undergoing a transformation, and the elevation of women in the democratic process is one of the essential levers for building a more just and equitable society. Feminism as a driving force for political participation continues to play a key role in this evolution. While progress has been made, there is still a long way to go to achieve truly equal and fair representation. Political equality is not only a right for women but also an imperative for democratic progress.
It is crucial that efforts for the inclusion of women are not limited to electoral periods but are integrated into a long-term strategy for the emancipation of women in the DRC. Continued commitment from the authorities, political parties, and civil society actors is necessary to ensure real. Finally, Congolese women, while facing multiple obstacles, demonstrate impressive resilience and unwavering determination to occupy spaces of power. They must be supported, listened to, and valued in their quest for more active and visible participation in the democratic process. The future of the DRC will be that of a more inclusive society, where women will play a central role in governance and in building a better future for all.