A community dialogue focused on malaria prevention was held in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on October 4, 2026. The event was organized by the Young People Against Malaria in DRC (CJP-RDC/ASBL) as part of the "Essential Voices - Malaria (VE-PALU)" project, funded by the Global Fund through the NGO Speak Up Africa. The project aims to strengthen community knowledge and promote engagement in malaria prevention and control.
The dialogue brought together 40 participants, including religious leaders and women from the community, to discuss key issues related to malaria prevention and community mobilization. According to Sarah Kamangu, project manager, the objective is to reinforce community engagement in the fight against malaria. She emphasized the importance of women and religious leaders in disseminating awareness messages within their respective communities.
During the exchanges, Kamangu highlighted the crucial role of women and religious leaders in promoting healthy behaviors and combating misinformation about malaria. She noted that these actors are essential in encouraging the adoption of favorable health behaviors and promoting the use of insecticide-treated bed nets, prompt health care seeking, and reliable information sharing.
The session was also led by Clarisse Mbo Modiri, representative of the National Malaria Control Program (PNLP). She discussed essential aspects of prevention, including key measures to adopt, the dangers of self-medication, and the importance of intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) for pregnant women and prenatal care. Participants were encouraged to promote correct and regular use of insecticide-treated bed nets and prompt health care seeking.
The dialogue provided a platform for participants to share their experiences, concerns, and proposals. This approach aims to strengthen the capacity of women and religious leaders to become proximity actors in malaria prevention and credible message dissemination. The CJP-RDC/ASBL reaffirms its commitment to placing communities at the heart of the fight against malaria.
The "Essential Voices - Malaria (VE-PALU)" project is part of a broader effort to combat malaria in the DRC. The country continues to face significant challenges in preventing and controlling the disease. Community engagement and participation are critical in addressing these challenges and promoting effective malaria prevention and control measures.
The community dialogue in Kinshasa is a step towards empowering communities to take ownership of malaria prevention and control. By engaging women and religious leaders, the project aims to promote a culture of prevention and encourage communities to adopt behaviors that will help reduce the spread of malaria. The event demonstrated the commitment of the CJP-RDC/ASBL and its partners to work with communities to combat malaria.
Key points
- The community dialogue aimed to strengthen community knowledge and promote engagement in malaria prevention and control.
- Women and religious leaders play a crucial role in disseminating awareness messages and promoting healthy behaviors.
- The project aims to place communities at the heart of the fight against malaria.
