It took place within the framework of the closing ceremony of International Women's Rights Day, organized at the Congo salon of the Pullman hotel in Kinshasa. In the presence of the 7 laureates from several African countries, Minister Mireille Masangu Bibi Muloko praised the efforts of all women, including the day's laureates, who supported their husbands with faithfulness and loyalty, up to the ultimate sacrifices, taking Maman Mwilu, the widow of Prophet Simon Kimbangu, as a model.

"March 8th of each year, the International Community celebrates International Women's Rights Day under a specific theme, the 2024 edition of International Women's Day is celebrated under the theme: 'Invest in favor of women, to accelerate the pace."

On the national level, we have selected the following theme: "Increase the necessary resources for women and girls in peace for a gender-equal Congo." These themes challenge us to take more actions to improve the situation of women, she declared.

She applauded the commitment of Congolese women, particularly their spontaneous mobilization on March 8th.

"I therefore take advantage of the opportunity offered to me to salute the commitment of Congolese women and, above all, to congratulate them for their impressive and spontaneous mobilization on March 8th throughout the country in a mourning attitude as a sign of solidarity with the populations of North Kivu and Ituri", recalled the Minister of Gender.

And to continue: "Today's event has a very special appeal aimed at celebrating the values of fidelity, loyalty, and constancy, values that we bring to our humanity in different areas of life. It is a great honor for the 7 Women of the world selected to whom we are going to award the "MT KASALU WOMAN OF HONOR" trophy for having supported their husbands, the great men, with fidelity, loyalty, and constancy.

This award should reinforce them on their path of destiny, for those who are still alive, and should motivate them further for the journey that remains to be traveled in order to serve as models in their respective communities. As for Maman MUILU, wife of Prophet Simon Kimbangu, she is for us a reference for the struggle she led alongside her husband, who, in the absence of her imprisoned husband, dedicated herself to the education of her children and kept the spiritual flame of her husband alive by leading her husband's movement from 1921 to 1957, the year of her death.".

It is worth noting that this 4th edition was organized by the non-profit organization LIZADEL, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Arts, and Heritage, with the support of civil society associations.

Gisèle Tshijuka