The whole world celebrates October 15, the International Day of Rural Women. In this context, several activities have been organized, among other things, specific days for rural women, a driving force for development, to make them aware of their important role within the community.

Within the context of 17 sensitization days decreed by the United Nations, Wallonie Bruxelles and its partners, among others, Cadep and Congolease Women's for Development, took to the field on Wednesday, October 16, 2019 on the site of Ucoopmakin (Union of market gardening cooperatives of Kinshasa) in N'djili Cecomaf through a day of reflection and exchanges to sensitize rural women in this part of the Republic.

The theme for this day was "Woman, Guarantor of Food Production in the DRC". The choice made at the N'djili Cecomaf site is justified by the fact that most of the agricultural production available on the Kinshasa market comes from peripheral sites including Cecomaf.

The objective pursued through this sensitization was to assist the rural woman in her daily struggle to ensure food security for the Congolese population at the cost of sacrifices and difficult conditions.

Indeed, these rural women at the origin of food production in Kinshasa suffer from a lack of support, both technically and financially.

During this exchange, they (the market gardening moms) exposed several difficulties that are stuck in their daily work. A00mong other things, outdated and archaic work tools, land spoliations, lack of funding ...

Joël Bile, an enterprising woman and member of Congolese Women's for Development, has raised the awareness of market-gardening moms by inviting them to raise their level of work.


She sensitized them to more awareness, creativity and union because, she said, the unity is strength.

"Rural women need to organize in small groups to better benefit from training", she said.


The representative of Wallonie Bruxelles, for its part, said that this activity is not the last and that other sensitization will be organized.


She promised to take into account their concerns and pass them on to the authorities.

(CKS/Yes)