Democratic Republic of the Congo Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka has presented her government's initiatives to support women and girls affected by armed conflicts in the East. She made the presentation at a panel discussion on women's parliamentary leadership in peace, security, and development in the Great Lakes region. The event took place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, as part of the first Conference of Women Parliamentarians of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region.
Suminwa emphasized the need for a coherent and concerted response to the consequences of conflicts on populations, particularly women and girls. She highlighted that the conflicts in the East have lasted for three decades, resulting in significant suffering for women and girls. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of strengthening protection and support mechanisms for affected populations.
Education and economic empowerment were identified as key priorities by Suminwa. She noted that maintaining access to essential services, particularly education, is crucial in areas affected by conflict. The government has taken steps to support education, including covering the costs of state exams for students in public schools. This initiative aims to enable young girls and boys to continue their education despite security challenges.
Suminwa also presented initiatives to enhance women's economic autonomy, including programs to support female entrepreneurship and youth empowerment. She emphasized that access to economic opportunities is vital for women to better cope with the consequences of conflicts and improve their independence.
The Prime Minister discussed the actions of the National Fund for Reparations for victims of sexual violence related to armed conflicts. These actions include psychological, social, and economic support for survivors. Some programs are implemented with the support of the United Nations, while national budget resources are mobilized to extend interventions to women in hard-to-reach areas.
Suminwa also mentioned the 145-territory local development program, which includes the construction of schools, health centers, and administrative buildings to strengthen state presence in communities. She highlighted the free maternity program as a measure to improve women's healthcare and reduce maternal mortality.
The Dar es Salaam meeting continues to focus on women's contributions to peace, security, and development mechanisms in the Great Lakes region. Suminwa's presentation showcased the DR Congo government's commitment to addressing the specific needs of women and girls affected by conflicts.
Key points
- DR Congo Prime Minister Judith Suminwa presents government initiatives to support women and girls affected by conflicts in the East.
- Education and economic empowerment are prioritized to help women cope with conflict consequences.
- The government has implemented programs to support survivors of sexual violence and enhance women's economic autonomy.
