July 23, 2025 — A major milestone for gender equality in the DRC: the Democratic Republic of the Congo has taken a decisive step forward by validating a strategic report on gender integration in its national land policy. This validation marks a turning point in the recognition of women’s land rights, at the heart of legislative and social reforms aimed at ensuring secure land access for all. Through legal advancements, customary challenges, and multisectoral mobilization, the DRC is laying the foundations for fairer and more inclusive land governance.
Addis Ababa, July 22, 2025 — At a strategic regional workshop organized by the African Land Policy Centre (ALPC) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in Addis Ababa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) officially validated its assessment report on gender integration in the national land policy and the revision of the 1973 land law. The meeting brought together government officials, technical experts, civil society, and international partners around a clear objective: to assess progress, identify remaining challenges, and adopt a robust roadmap to guarantee women’s land rights across the country.
The validation workshop took place as the DRC continues critical land governance reforms, with a strong emphasis on gender equality. Since 2014, the UNECA, through its African Land Policy Centre (ALPC), has supported the DRC in its efforts to promote a gender-sensitive legal framework. The ongoing study aimed specifically to analyze how these efforts have influenced the national land policy and the revision of the 1973 law. While significant progress has been made—particularly the adoption of a gender-inclusive land policy—several gaps remain, often linked to prevailing social and customary practices.
The opening session, chaired by Ms. Joan Cuka Kagwanja, Section Head at UNECA, welcomed the tangible progress achieved, while stressing the importance of going beyond policy to achieve solid legislation and effective administrative tools. “It’s not enough to have a policy. We also need strong legislation and concrete implementation mechanisms,” she emphasized.
ALPC’s national consultant and head of the Congolese delegation, Floribert Nyamoga, outlined the DRC’s remarkable journey in this area, recalling that the 2006 Constitution explicitly prohibits all forms of gender-based discrimination. “The Constitution forms the foundation of the entire Congolese legal system: it ensures that the protections granted by constitutional principles apply across the legal environment, and the Constitutional Court is the highest authority tasked with ensuring that all legislation complies with this fundamental principle,” he explained. He elaborated that Articles 11 to 14 explicitly prohibit gender discrimination and encourage the adoption of special measures for women’s advancement, while recognizing customary law as subject to the overarching principle of non-discrimination.
“While the legal texts are strong, the major challenge remains their effective implementation on the ground, particularly in rural areas where patriarchal customary practices still limit women’s access to land,” Nyamoga warned. He emphasized the need for an integrated strategy combining multichannel communication, community mobilization, and rigorous monitoring and evaluation to ensure lasting transformation.
Ms. Esther Kamuanya Biayi, Secretary General for Gender, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to integrating gender from the outset of public policy development. “Gender must be a guiding thread in all national reforms to ensure inclusive and sustainable development,” she declared firmly. She called for coordinated mobilization of all stakeholders to translate legal achievements into concrete actions, especially in rural areas.
In the same vein, Mr. Boniface Makando Ngu, Secretary General for Land Affairs, confirmed the strong involvement of the ministry—under the leadership of State Minister Acacia Bandubola Asengi—in better regulating customary practices and facilitating women’s secure access to land. He emphasized the importance of close collaboration with local and customary authorities to ensure local ownership of the reforms.
Master Jacques Dilemba, an expert at the National Land Reform Commission (CONAREF), reminded participants that the land issue in the DRC is multidimensional and requires sustained technical and financial support. He highlighted the 2022–2037 National Land Plan, which includes a major focus on social justice and equity. “To strengthen women’s participation in land decision-making, it is essential to provide them with appropriate training,” he stressed.
For her part, Isabelle Munga, spokesperson for the Rural Women’s Network, shared powerful testimonies on the obstacles faced by women in rural areas, particularly due to persistent customary norms. She advocated for better dissemination of existing rights and greater national mobilization. “It is crucial to promote legal texts to restore confidence among women and youth in the agricultural sector,” she urged, emphasizing the need for incentives to encourage youth engagement in agriculture.
The discussions were open and meaningful, reflecting a shared commitment to overcome obstacles and build a legal and social framework that ensures real equality. Participants unanimously stressed the need for multisectoral mobilization, supported by a social communication strategy led notably by the Ministry of Gender, and a gradual transformation of cultural norms.
At the end of the session, the collective validation of the results and recommendations confirmed a consensus around the proposed priorities and directions. This moment marked a decisive step toward gender-sensitive land governance, accompanied by clear commitments for its effective implementation. Alex Diouf, a member of the technical monitoring and evaluation team, confirmed the establishment of a specific framework to measure gender integration in land governance. He indicated that the DRC will work to consolidate a strong reference framework aligned with on-the-ground realities.
Ms. Joan Cuka Kagwanja closed the session by commending the commitment of the Congolese participants and reminding them that this dynamic is part of a shared regional framework involving other African countries such as Malawi, Tanzania, and Guinea. She announced the continuation of the work through a capacity-building module, with the aim of transforming achievements into concrete and lasting actions.
By Franck Zongwe Lukama