Congo: Cedaw Committee Blames Tradition For Women's Poverty - Brief Article

WIN News, Spring, 2000

UN WIRE (Jan. 26, 2000): http://www.unfoundation.org

"As the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women considered Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) reports on implementing the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, experts stressed the need to modify cultural and traditional practices harmful to women (UN release, 25 Jan.).

Specifically, they suggested implementation of strategies against practices that treat women as property, addressed discriminatory provisions in the country's labor and family codes and stressed the need to address the lack of solidarity among women.

Social Affairs and Family Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Anastasie Moleko Moliwa, said extreme poverty had been exacerbated by the 1996-97 war and the current war with Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda. She said women continue to suffer from aggressors who continually rape and massacre women and children with no condemnation from the United Nations.

According to the country report, the government implemented a three-year program for 1997-2000 aimed at ensuring economic advancement for women; ensuring their social advancement through training; and protecting women's and children's health by improving their nutrition, developing primary healthcare programs and reducing women's daily workload. However, continuing war, discrimination, lack of education and women's lack of interest in public affairs has led to few changes, the report notes."