TITLE:
Women’s Co-Optation in Institutions: Promoting Values of Equity and Equal Opportunity Tested in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
AUTHORS:
Kahenga Ekota Ferdinand, Elise Féron, Barumwete Simon, Kazoviyo Gertrude
KEYWORDS:
Co-Option, Public Institution, Equity, Equality
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Political Science,
Vol.13 No.4,
October
31,
2023
ABSTRACT: This article is the result of a study carried out
among civil society actors and civil servants in South Kivu, North Kivu, and
Maniema who are advocating for equality and equity for all people. The
co-optation of women into the institutions of
the Democratic Republic of the Congo is examined. This study examined obstacles
to the values of equity and equality of human rights. It further explored
women’s competences, capacities, skills and the need for them to enjoy the same
legal advantages as other citizens. Although women’s rights are in principle guaranteed and protected by
international, regional, sub-regional, and national legal instruments,
it is observed that they are subject to co-optation for their representation
and exercise their right to work. To have a balanced world, equality between
the sexes is a right, and realizing it benefits not only women, but also the entire human race. Finding the contributing variables to
the co-optation of women in state institutions is the study’s main goal. To
analyze them, and propose ways to improve the application of equity, and
respect for human rights are all fundamental human values. To do this, we
proposed an online questionnaire through the Google Form tool. Out of the 70 respondents identified, 58 responded favorably. Most of them are former academics and civil servants. At the end of the
survey, it was noted that despite all the legal provisions of the Democratic
Republic of the Congo, the participation of women in public institutions is low. Our study revealed that, of the five main public
structures of the state that we identified, the
participation rate of women is decreasing. It ranges from 36.2% in provincial
divisions, 31% in health care facilities, 2.6% of women in universities, and
1.5% of women in primary and secondary schools. Our study reveals that eleven
governments have been in office from 5 February 2007 to 31 December 2022. The average representation of women in government is
12.9%. It has gone from 9% in 2007 to 12.9% in 2021. This weak progression of
3.9% of women in public institutions does not urge better performance of the
women’s rights, the principle of equity and equal opportunity for all. In terms
of knowledge of legal instruments on the issue of co-option of women into
public office, our study reveals that no article or legal provision revisits
the legal scope of women, but it notes that all the provisions in the country’s
legal arsenal only reinforce understanding of women’s rights and their
participation in institutions. The issue of women’s co-option, emancipation,
development and equitable access to work is a real concern for all. It would
not be taken as a catalyst to create a pretext for equal rights for women, but
rather to give every citizen (male and
female) an equal opportunity to use their qualities and skills to enjoy
their equal rights.