New York, 9 March 2026 — The Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Her Excellency Judith Suminwa Tuluka, addressed the United Nations General Assembly on Monday, 9 March 2026, during the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), taking place from 9 to 19 March at the United Nations Headquarters in New York under the presidency of Costa Rica.
Speaking during this session dedicated to the theme “Guaranteeing and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, including by promoting inclusive and equitable legal systems, eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices, and addressing structural barriers,” the Head of the Congolese Government highlighted the progress made by the Democratic Republic of the Congo in advancing women’s rights.
Her Excellency Judith Suminwa Tuluka emphasized that, under the leadership of the President of the Republic, Her Excellency Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, recognized by his peers as a Champion of Positive Masculinity in Africa, significant progress has been achieved in women’s participation in public life and decision-making bodies. She noted in particular that women’s representation in decision-making spheres increased from 21% in 2021 to 32% in 2024, an evolution also marked by the appointment, for the first time in the country’s history, of a woman as Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister also reaffirmed the DRC’s commitment to women’s economic empowerment, notably through support for female entrepreneurship and the expansion of women’s access to economic opportunities, particularly within the framework of the Local Development Program for the 145 Territories.
Addressing the security situation, Her Excellency Judith Suminwa Tuluka nevertheless recalled that the DRC continues to face serious challenges related to peace and security. She denounced the dramatic consequences of the aggression carried out by Rwanda with the support of the M23/AFC group, stressing that women and girls living in the affected areas are paying a heavy price, facing violence, forced displacement, and a humanitarian crisis that profoundly undermines their lives and futures.
Through this statement, the Democratic Republic of the Congo reaffirmed before the international community its determination to continue reforms in favor of women’s rights, while calling for stronger international mobilization to end the violence affecting civilian populations, particularly women and girls, in the eastern part of the country.