The Ministry of Gender, Family and Children, in collaboration with women from the University of Kinshasa, organized a morning of discussions on the theme “Women, Peace and Security”The event, held this Monday, March 24, 2025 at the UNIKIN marquee from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., brought together women from the academic, scientific and administrative bodies, as well as students, in order to promote the involvement of women in peace, security and reconciliation processes.

This meeting was supported by Circular Note No. 010/MINESU/CAB.MIN/SASM/MMK/2025 of March 19, 2025, signed by the Minister of Higher and University Education, Professor Marie-Thérèse Sombo Ayanne Safi Mukuna. This document called on higher education institutions to raise awareness among students during this period marked by the war of aggression in the east of the country.

The session began with a welcome address from the Rector of the University of Kinshasa, represented by Professor Charles Odiko Lokangaka, Academic Secretary General.

Professor Marie-Claire Yandju Dembo, Secretary General for Research at the University of Kinshasa, spoke on “The impacts of war on the empowerment of Congolese women and forced displacement”She highlighted the sexual violence suffered by women, unwanted pregnancies as a long-term enemy infiltration strategy, and the consequences of these atrocities on society. She also highlighted the crucial role of women in the Congolese economy, particularly in food production: “Women contribute more than 70% to the country’s food production.”, she insisted, calling for the adoption of a national policy for their empowerment.

For her part, Professor Nicole Ntumba Bwatshia, Deputy Chief of Staff of the President of the Republic in charge of administrative, legal and international matters, addressed "The geostrategic situation of the DRC, source of insecurity in the east of the country"It highlighted the economic covetousness around the country's mineral resources and the involvement of certain neighboring states in the instability of the region. "The DRC is not only suffering genocide, but also 'genocost'", she said.

Finally, Mr. Didier Lapiar, coordinator of the National Program SN1325, spoke on the theme "The role of women in maintaining peace and national security"He stressed the importance of UN Resolution 1325, which highlights the essential involvement of women in peace processes in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Ms. Sylvie Agwa, representative of UN Women, reiterated her organization's commitment to supporting the empowerment of women and combating violence against them.

At the end of these discussions, the following recommendations were read to address the findings raised by the speakers:

Finding 1: Women are more affected by armed conflicts

Recommendation 1 : involve women in conflict resolution programs during and after conflicts and empower them;

Finding 2: Violence against women is the basis of prenatal stress in women, congenital malformations and hinders psychosocial development, etc. Trauma can modify genetic changes.

Recommendation 2 : Ensure good holistic care (psychological, medical, economic, legal, etc.) for women survivors and put in place prevention mechanisms

Observation 3: War has several causes

Recommendation 3 : implement a multidimensional approach to conflict resolution in the East, particularly through: reform of the FARDC, active and effective diplomacy, and equitable management of resources

Observation 4: Conflicts are the result of the interweaving of traditional law and positive law

Recommendation 4 : Combining legal anthropology with geostrategy for better conflict resolution

Observation 5: absence of women in the peace negotiation process

Recommendation 5:

• Involve women at the negotiating table,
• Implement action plan 3^th of Resolution 1325,
• Integrate gender to take into account the specific needs of men and women in reconstruction,
• Raise awareness, train and advocate on sexual genocide and Genocost
• Provide education for women to ensure knowledge and skills in conflict management and resolution

Finally, Professor Marie-Claire Yandju recommended the legalization of abortion for pregnancies resulting from rape and sexual slavery, particularly in contexts such as those of the mineral quarries in eastern DRC.

The morning of discussions concluded with a message from the representative of the Minister of Gender, Family and Children, who urged the audience to continue efforts to promote cohesion and national unity in order to achieve lasting peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo.