Congo PM calls on Africa to fully engage women in security and development affairs
DAR ES SALAAM: DEMOCRATIC Republic of Congo (DRC) Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka has called on African countries to ensure women have meaningful influence in decisions concerning peace, security and development, stressing that lasting peace cannot be achieved without their participation.
Speaking at the Great Lakes Women Parliamentarians’ Meeting (WPC) in Dar es Salaam today, November 2, 2026, Ms Tuluka said providing women with representation alone was not enough. They must also be empowered to participate in and influence decisions on peace and security matters.
She said that although women had made progress in securing leadership positions, more efforts were needed to strengthen their participation in decision-making bodies and ensure the implementation of international agreements protecting their rights.
Commenting on the situation in eastern DRC, she said women and children continued to bear the consequences of conflict, violence, displacement and disruptions to education. She stressed the need to guarantee their safety, access to justice and peace.
Ms Tuluka urged parliamentarians to use legislation, budget allocations and government oversight to address discrimination and violence against women. She also called for greater investment in girls’ education, healthcare and women’s economic empowerment.
She further urged the meeting to adopt practical and actionable resolutions, emphasising that women must be fully involved in conflict prevention, mediation and efforts to build lasting peace across member countries.
