The Minister of Communication and Media, Patrick Muyaya Patrick Muyaya, acknowledged on Thursday, March 21 at the Fleuve Congo Hotel, on the occasion of the opening of the 5th edition of the Media Women's Fair, the efforts of the Congolese Association of Women of the Written Press (ACOFEPE) for the promotion of women. This edition of the Media Women's Fair was held under the theme: "Investing in women journalists to promote access to information for the most vulnerable."

The Minister of Communication and Media expressed joy, as it is a privilege to participate once again in an edition of the Fair dedicated to women in media.

Belief in Women's Leadership

"We do not do this because we have to do it, some would say out of obligation, but we do it out of conviction because we believe in women's leadership," he stated in his introduction. For him, "this forum aims precisely at providing visibility, to demonstrate that women are indeed playing their role in the Congo that is rebuilding itself."

To better address the theme of this 5th edition, the Minister of Communication and Media referred to the theme of this year's national celebration of International Women's Rights Day, which is "Increasing necessary resources for women and girls for peace in a gender-balanced Congo."

"When I look at the theme chosen today 'investing in women journalists to promote access to information for the most vulnerable people,' it ultimately stems from the central theme," he pointed out, affirming: "We think it is crucial in the context of a country consolidating its democracy, but facing war, to ensure that women journalists are indeed working." "By providing access to information, especially for vulnerable women, we are working in favor of peace and development," emphasized the head of Communication and Media.

He further specified, "For us, it is a reality that when looking at the layout of the RTNC, we want to show that we believe in women's leadership. It's not just about associating them, but rather recognizing their skills and abilities to write a new chapter for the national television and other structures under our responsibility. In the context of the efforts we are making, notably in the area of reforming the law we enacted a year ago, we guarantee access to sources and create conditions for the promotion of the press, freedom of expression, and the protection of journalists, to foster a fair environment."

23% Sensitivity Integration of Women in Online Media

The president of ACOFEPE and initiator of this fair, Ms. Grâce Israélla Kangundu Ngyke, called on women journalists to reach out to vulnerable people to make their voices heard so that their problems are known and addressed by the Central Government and organizations that can ensure their empowerment.

She continued: "Women journalists play a crucial role in disseminating accurate, balanced information accessible to all, especially the most vulnerable segments of our society. In a world where information has become an essential resource, investing in women journalists equates to investing in democracy, human rights, and the development of our nation."

"Women journalists are the voices of those who are often marginalized (...)," she asserted, welcoming the progress made in the sensitive integration of women in online media, which stands at 23%, despite discrimination, violence, lack of access to resources, and opportunities.

In the same vein, the representative of Internews, a technical partner of this fair, Karim Benard, expressed gratitude for the work done by women in various newsrooms.

Equality, Participation of Women in Debate

"We are already at the 5th edition of the media women's fair... Internews has supported these initiatives from the beginning so that the profession can open the necessary discussions for the promotion of women in newsrooms, but also this role of media in promoting gender equality, both in women leaders' access to media, discussion on equality issues, participation of women in debates, and the implementation of solutions to the social and economic problems of the Democratic Republic of the Congo," she specified.

Representatives of the Embassy of Sweden and USAID, in turn, applauded this wonderful initiative that brings together women and men from the media to reflect on this specific issue.

After all these interventions, it was time to visit the various media stands set up in the large hall of the Fleuve Congo Hotel for this annual meeting that brings together media women specifically from television, radio, written press, and online media.

It is also worth noting that the official opening ceremony was marked by two panels on different themes with interventions from professors drawn from the Institutes of Communication Sciences: professors François Elika, Pierre Nsana, Arlette Masamuna, and research director Laeticia Muabila.

ACOFEPE benefited from the collaboration and support of Handicap Zero and the Federation of Local Radio Stations of Congo, "Internews, the Embassy of Sweden, and USAID."

Gisèle Mbuyi