In Kinshasa, a ceremony was held to award diplomas of merit to women and young people engaged in peace and security efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The event was organized by the Synergie des femmes et jeunes femmes pour la paix et la sécurité en RDC on September 22, 2026, on the sidelines of the International Day of Peace.
The representative of the President of the Independent National Commission (Céni), Joséphine Ngalula, attended the ceremony and praised the initiative, saying that it was a sample of many women who would be recognized for their efforts in promoting peace. She also declared the launch of a national campaign to mobilize and raise awareness about the participation of women and girls in peace and stability.
A total of 23 provinces out of 26 in the Democratic Republic of Congo submitted nominations for the diplomas. Merveille Kuzangula Balambi, a young woman from the Kwango province, was among the recipients. She is the head of the youth office at the Red Cross of the RDC, Kwango branch, and has been engaged in humanitarian work and community development.
The ceremony provided a platform to recognize and value the initiatives carried out by women and young women across the country, highlighting their role in promoting peace, social cohesion, and community well-being. The event also underscored the importance of women's participation in peace and security efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The awarding of diplomas is part of a broader effort to promote women's empowerment and participation in peacebuilding processes. The Synergie des femmes et jeunes femmes pour la paix et la sécurité en RDC has been working to promote women's engagement in peace and security efforts, in line with UN Resolutions 1325 and 2250.
The Independent National Commission (Céni) has been working to promote women's participation in peace and stability efforts, in line with its mandate. The commission's president, Kadima, has been supportive of initiatives that promote women's empowerment and participation in peacebuilding processes.
The ceremony concluded with a call to continue recognizing and supporting women's efforts in promoting peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The event highlighted the need for sustained efforts to promote women's empowerment and participation in peacebuilding processes.
Key points
- The Democratic Republic of Congo has made efforts to promote women's participation in peace and security efforts, with 23 provinces submitting nominations for diplomas.
- The Synergie des femmes et jeunes femmes pour la paix et la sécurité en RDC has been working to promote women's engagement in peace and security efforts.
- The awarding of diplomas aims to recognize and value the initiatives carried out by women and young women across the country.
