Supporting Women is Empowering the all Family

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the second largest country in Africa and has a total population of 90.8 million, of which 51% are women and 48% of the total population is under 15 years old. Although endowed with extraordinary natural resources, the DRC remains one of the poorest countries in the world, ranked 186th out of 187 countries on the Human Development Index (UNDP, 2010). More than 70% of the population lives below the poverty line.

Decades of armed conflict have led to the deaths of over 5 million civilians and estimates suggest over 1 million women have been raped. Though articles 5, 14 and 15 of the DRC constitution establish a legal basis for equality and equity policies, women currently occupy only 7.2% of positions at the highest level of decision making at a national level in the parliament and government.

Up to 52% of women in DRC are survivors of domestic violence and 39% of Congolese women report having being threatened or injured. 27% of women in DRC are victims of harmful traditional practices. Early marriage is common, with 2007 reports indicting 39% of women in their early twenties were married or in a union before the age of 18. Very few Congolese women have access to decent jobs, and in general women and girls have less access to education than men and boys, as well as higher rates of illiteracy

One of the most important ways to promote peace and stability in the DRC is to provide economic opportunities to empower women.

Through economic partnerships between public and private sectors that enable women to be part of a nation's growing economy, research has shown a ripple effect against poverty that will extend across families and societies.Create Poverty Alleviation through Women Empowerment

Create Poverty Alleviation through Women Empowerment

Empowerment aims to move persons from oppressed powerlessness to positions of power. Education is a vital component in empowering women in developing countries. Through the provision of confidence, knowledge and skills, women can rebuild impoverished communities. By empowering women to participate in growth opportunities, DRC will accelerate its economic and social development. Working women invest 90 percent of their earnings back to their families, leading to greater health and education for their children. This, in turn, creates a cycle that sustainably alleviates poverty.

Technological Opportunities for Women’s Empowerment

Worldwide, 200 million more men have internet access than women. Women are also 21 percent less likely to own a mobile phone, a key resource in developing countries where phones provide security, mobile health care and facilitate money transfers. Technology has great potential in closing the gender gap and empowering women in Democratic Republic of Congo. Educating girls in technology and IT will help women and girls pursue opportunities in these fields. For instance, in Egypt, women have developed an application called HarrassMap. The application maps out areas of high sexual assault and allows women to feel secure within their communities. With Congo Bomoko women will be able to be creative and work together to empower each other, and become entrepreneurs.