In a significant step towards the upcoming national dialogue in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Archbishop Evariste Ejiba Yamampia, president of the Church of Revival in Congo (ERC), held a meeting with women's associations from civil society in Kinshasa on September 19, 2026. The meeting aimed to prepare for the national dialogue, which seeks to promote peace, cohesion, and the rebuilding of the state. During the meeting, Elfie Esther Ilunga, president of the women's association Generation Femme, presented the archbishop with a document outlining the group's main concerns.
Generation Femme, which has been actively promoting and defending women's rights since 2006, aims to ensure that women's concerns are addressed in the national dialogue. According to Elfie Esther Ilunga, the group feels compelled to participate in the dialogue to make their voices heard. Ilunga emphasized that twenty years of commitment to women's empowerment obliges them to take part in the dialogue, stressing that women's voices must be heard.
The women's group is advocating for an inclusive dialogue that can provide solutions to the problems they face. Ilunga stated that the women supported by her organization want a dialogue that allows them to find solutions to their problems, saying, "Rien sur les femmes sans les femmes" or "Nothing about women without women." The group also calls for the participation of different categories of women, including those from civil society, women politicians, decision-makers, and women from grassroots communities.
Archbishop Evariste Ejiba Yamampia emphasized the need for strong mobilization of women in preparation for the launch of the spiritual dialogue on October 3, 2026, at the Tata Raphaël stadium. He called on the women's generation to get more involved in this initiative, stressing that women are at the heart of development. The archbishop also encouraged women to participate actively in the dialogue, not just by being physically present but also by contributing to decision-making processes.
The archbishop highlighted that women's participation in the dialogue should not be limited to their physical presence in decision-making spaces. He explained that even if women are not in the room where decisions are made, they can still participate in various ways. If they are present, they must be prepared to defend their cause, he added. This inclusive approach aims to ensure that women's voices are effectively heard and considered in the national dialogue.
The national dialogue is a critical initiative aimed at promoting peace, cohesion, and the rebuilding of the state in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The involvement of women's groups, such as Generation Femme, is seen as essential to ensuring that the concerns and needs of women are addressed. By presenting their demands and advocating for an inclusive dialogue, women's groups are taking a proactive role in shaping the country's future.
As the national dialogue approaches, the participation of various stakeholders, including women's groups, will be crucial in determining the success of the initiative. The meeting between Archbishop Evariste Ejiba Yamampia and women's associations marks an important step towards ensuring that women's voices are heard and considered in the dialogue. The outcome of the national dialogue will likely have a significant impact on the lives of women and the broader population in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Key points
- Women's groups, including Generation Femme, are actively participating in preparations for the national dialogue to ensure their concerns are addressed.
