Women's Economic Empowerment Is A Factor For Peace

It is a very comprehensive, unifying theme. It resonates with all women and with those of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, because it refers to everything they are fighting for. The rights of all women and girls, regardless of origin, social status, ethnicity or physical condition. Despite legislative progress, equality remains a struggle for the fulfilment of women. Finally, the empowerment of women and girls must enable them to gain access to economic resources.

Through your foundation 'FAM' and your involvement in the association Femmes d'exception du Congo, you actively campaign for women's rights. What actions will you be taking in March, which is dedicated to women's rights?

The Anne Mbuguje Marembo Foundation FAM is actively involved in essential areas such as education, health, the environment and the economic development of young people and women, particularly in rural areas. We work in the provinces of North Kivu, Equateur and Kinshasa. I am the third vice-president of the association Femmes d'Exception du Congo FDEC and president of the commission responsible for the economic development of women.

Within the framework of FAM, we are going to step up our interventions in the eastern part of the DR Congo, which has been the scene of a conflict that has lasted for three decades. We are going to provide our assistance in particular to women and children, who are the first victims.

As part of FDEC, we organised our first 'exceptional meeting' event on 3 December 2024, the first edition of which was devoted to 'inclusive governance'. In May 2025, we plan to organise our second edition, which will focus on 'the financial inclusion of women'.