CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE: UNFPA Encourages Media to Mobilize Women in Politics
Les Depeches de Brazzaville reported on 12 June on a capacity-building workshop for journalists on population and development opened by Communication Minister Bienvenu Okiemy and UNFPA Representative David Lawson. Their joint vision and agenda for the workshop was to foster excellence in information management by journalists as vectors of change and development and expertise on issues relating to maternal health, youth, HIV prevention, women’s rights and empowerment, vulnerable peoples, etc. Mr. Lawson said, "in all independence, journalists must ensure that women are mobilized and informed about the upcoming legislative elections and engage and participate in the process." Read in French: Les Depeches de Brazzaville and Les Depeches de Brazzaville
CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE: UNFPA Supports Women to Legislative Elections
Les Depeches de Brazzaville reported on 12 June on a town hall meeting on women’s mobilization and engagement in the electoral process, held by UNFPA Representative David Lawson, in the economic capital of Pointe-Noire. With local elected officials and a Women's Affairs Ministry representative, Mr. Lawson underlined the under-representation of women in Congo politics - only 5 ministers out of 37 and 10% and 13% of women in the National Assembly and Senate. He stressed the need for women’s empowerment and participation in the upcoming legislative elections on 15 July and said, "Women are essential to national development and should therefore engage in public affairs, along with men. Women under-representation in politics is not a man problem, it is not a woman problem...it is Congolese problem." Read in French: Les Depeches de Brazzaville