Congolese Women in Action with the movement of MF 26

The phenomenon of the Women's Movement of the 26 Provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The women of the Democratic Republic of Congo made a vibrant entrance onto the public scene on April 8, 2021 through the Women’s Movement of the 26 Provinces. They denounce the atrocities committed in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo and in Ituri, the rapes of women and children, killings of populations by unidentified armed groups. This phenomenon has been rife for more than two decades. Many of them were born during this war and know only conflict situations, some are orphans having lost their parents during the war. Neither the government nor MONUSCO manage to secure this region plagued by deadly and bloody attacks. Why this sudden activism, when Congolese women are generally submissive and resigned to their fate of victims? Most of them are Millennials. They got up and took the stick of progress that was sleeping in the hands of their moms, aunts, and grandmothers. They are educated, daring, articulate, determined. They know their rights and are ready to claim them. They are not interested in emigrating to the West, they want to stay in the country and improve social life in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They represent 52% of the Congolese population and say they are just as capable as men to manage the Democratic Republic of Congo and lead it towards its development. They are asking the government for 50-50 parity in decision-making positions in the country. They are determined to make things happen in the DRC. They come from all the 26 provinces, they are from all the religions and all the tribes of the DRC. Their strength: unity, a first in the DRC. A phenomenon, an initiative to encourage and support. Their Leader? Fatouma Amisi Chouchou, young woman of 44, civil servant at the General Directorate of Migration. Revolted by the atrocities against women in the east of the country, she decided to create this movement which includes all the women of the DRC, all tendencies combined. Congolese women through this movement are determined to become actively involved in the process of political, social, and economic development of the Democratic Republic of Congo. They want to ensure the promotion of Congolese women and the equitable representativeness of Congolese women within national, provincial, and local institutions.