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Breaking Barriers for women in a political landscape: Judith Suminwa’s Historic Appointment as the First Female Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo  

by Reagan Baseya  updated on April 23, 2024       

In a groundbreaking move that marks a historic milestone for both the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and women in leadership, Judith Suminwa has been appointed as the first female Prime Minister of the country in early April. This significant achievement not only shatters traditional gender barriers but also opens a new era of possibilities and empowerment for young females in the DRC and beyond in the political landscape, showcasing the increasing role of women in positions of power and decision-making.  

In fact, women in the DRC face numerous obstacles when aspiring to political positions. Deep-rooted societal norms and cultural biases perpetuate gender inequality, limiting their access to leadership roles. Discriminatory attitudes, lack of support networks, and unequal opportunities further compound the challenges they face in politics. Additionally, limited resources, funding constraints, and a male-dominated political sphere create barriers for women seeking to effect change and advocate for gender equality. Despite these challenges, Suminwa’s recent appointment signals a gradual shift towards gender inclusivity and empowerment in Congolese politics for women.    

As the new Prime Minister, she brings with her a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective on governance. Her appointment not only breaks traditional gender barriers but also paves the way for inclusive leadership that reflects the diversity of the nation. Suminwa’s leadership is poised to bring about positive changes, promote gender equality, and foster a more inclusive society where women can thrive and contribute meaningfully.  

   

A Profile of Leadership and Expertise Leading   

Judith Tuluka Suminwa holds a master’s degree in labor sciences, Administration, and Personnel Management, specializing in work in developing countries from the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB). She also has a bachelor’s degree in applied economics with a focus on financial management from the Facultés Universitaires Catholiques des Mons (FUCAM) in Belgium. Her career trajectory includes roles in the banking sector, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), serving as an advisor to former Budget Minister Daniel Mukoko Samba, and later as the Minister of Planning in the Sama Lukonde II government.  

Judith Suminwa’s background and professional experience in various sectors, and her record of accomplishment of effective leadership roles have undoubtedly contributed to her selection as the first female Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Her blend of expertise in economics, development, and strategic planning positions her as a capable leader poised to tackle the significant challenges facing the country.  

Once more her educational and professional background empowers her to help achieve the vision of President Felix Antoine Tshisekedi for the country. The people of DRC are expecting her to raise the bar that most of his predecessors had deemed too low. They have not served the country to the best of their ability as judged by the population, that continues to suffer because of some of the choices made by them.  

 

 

 

 

Proposed Policy Agenda for Addressing Key Issues in the D RC  

In fact, the new prime minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka’s proposed policy agenda aligns with addressing key issues in the DRC, spanning governance, economy, social welfare, and gender equality. As she embarks on her tenure as Prime Minister, her experience, vision, and commitment to the development of the country position her as an eventual transformative leader with the potential to drive positive change and progress in the DRC.  

In her first words as the new Prime Minister, Judith Suminwa affirmed that “the task is enormous, the challenges immense,” while stating that the president can rely on her “great loyalty.” She notably helped in the management of President Félix Tshisekedi’s program covering 145 territories. Her current position will enable her to inject new vitality into this extensive national reconstruction initiative.  

Her commitment to supporting President Tshisekedi’s agenda and her role in the CPVS demonstrate her dedication to monitoring and evaluating the government’s strategic commitments. By fostering collaboration with different political forces within the “Union Sacrée coalition,” she aims to promote political stability and effective governance in the country.  

By leveraging her expertise in economics and development, she aims to implement sustainable economic policies that uplift the living standards of the Congolese people. One of the core pillars of Suminwa’s proposed policy agenda will focus on economic revitalization and poverty alleviation. Despite the DRC’s vast mineral wealth, a significant portion of the population lives below the poverty line. Suminwa’s agenda includes plans to create jobs, diversify the economy, develop agriculture, and protect household purchasing power.   

She also pledged to work for peace based on the commitments defined by the President of the Republic, aiming to enable Congolese citizens to benefit from their resources. As she takes on the mantle of Prime Minister, Judith Suminwa’s commitment to peace, loyalty to the President, and dedication to leveraging the country’s resources for the benefit of its citizens indicate a leader who is focused on driving positive change and progress.   

The Prime minister also recognizes the urgency of addressing social welfare challenges in the DRC, particularly the displacement of millions of people due to conflicts, especially in the Eastern regions. Her agenda prioritizes initiatives to provide support for internally displaced persons, promote social cohesion, and address the root causes of violence and instability. By drawing on her experience in development projects in the East of the DRC, Suminwa seeks to implement targeted policies that improve the well-being of vulnerable populations.  

 

Breaking Barriers: bring a higher contribution of women in Politics in the DRC  

Women in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continue to face significant challenges in achieving equal representation in political leadership roles. Despite constituting 63% of the electorate, their presence in government positions remains dismally low at just 7.2%. This underrepresentation extends across various positions, with men predominantly occupying leadership positions in government, national assembly, major institutions, civil society organizations, and female-focused service providers.  

Efforts to empower Congolese women must involve systemic changes that address the root causes of gender inequality. This includes challenging cultural stereotypes, expanding access to education, promoting women’s participation in decision-making processes, and enhancing their representation in leadership roles. By acknowledging and rectifying these disparities, the DRC can harness the full potential of its female population, fostering a more inclusive and equitable society for all.  

To address this imbalance, it is imperative to promote the representation of women in public decision-making processes, aiming for at least 50% female participation. By creating opportunities for women to engage in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and the reconstruction of the DRC, a transformative leadership culture can be cultivated, enhancing the overall development and stability of the nation.  

In fact, by shattering stereotypes and defying expectations, Suminwa paves the way for other women to pursue political ambitions and contribute meaningfully to governance and policymaking.  

As the first female Prime Minister of the DRC, Judith Suminwa’s historic achievement is not just a personal triumph but a victory for all women who dare to defy expectations, challenge stereotypes, and carve out their place in male-dominated spheres. Her leadership will inspire a new generation of female leaders, instilling in them the belief that they too can shape the future of their nation and make a lasting impact on society.  

Her journey serves as a testament to the resilience, talent, and potential of women everywhere, urging young females to embrace their uniqueness, pursue their goals with fervor, and strive for greatness in all their endeavors.

 

  

 For young females in the DRC, her appointment sends a powerful message that their voices matter, their ambitions are valid, and their potential is limitless. It encourages them to break free from societal norms and pursue their aspirations with confidence, knowing that they too can reach the highest echelons of power and influence. By seeing a woman at the helm of the government, young females are encouraged to dream big, aim high, and strive for excellence in their chosen fields, knowing that nothing is beyond their reach showing that the doors can be open for all despite gender.  

Her success in that field will underscore the importance of fostering inclusive political environments that embrace diversity and promote gender parity. By amplifying the voices of women and championing their rights, Suminwa’s leadership exemplifies the transformative power of female empowerment in shaping the future of Congolese politics.  

Africa, the cradle of humanity, a land that stirs the soul with its mystic allure. My soul chose to be born in a land where golden savannahs stretch far and wide. A land where one can witness the plains come alive with the rhythmic footsteps of herds embarking on their breath-taking migration in a timeless display of resilience and unity. A country that holds beauty, that enchants the senses and ignites wonder.

My land, my motherland Kenya. Born into a Kenyan family of Asian descent, a family that has lived and breathed Kenya and Africa for previous 5 generations, I can only identify as a Kenyan, a proud 6th generation African. Brought up in a family where ‘Being Human’ was the main principal belief. We have been raised with values that don’t differ greatly from those of the thousands of tribes that make up Africa – roots, heritage, family, faith, morals, principles and more.

Many years ago, I stood on stage at a speech writing contest in High School, where I described the strategy behind Muhamad Ali’s glorious win where he “floated like a butterfly, and stung like a bee” against George Foreman, in the fight forever known as the ‘Rumble in the Jungle.’ Years later, never even in my wildest imagination, did I imagine I would be living in the very ‘jungle’ itself, and working in the world of strategic storytelling and encouraging the amplification of Congolese voices and narratives far and wide across the globe from the heart of Africa.

Congo or as it was then called Zaire, a land that was stamped in the memory of the World as the place where Ali fought Foreman and caused a mighty Rumble in the boxing world. A battle that was immortalised in the song ‘In Zaire’ sung by Johnny Wakelin. Congo was a land everyone wanted to know about.

A land that is endowed with all the riches known to mankind. A blessed land, with a rich cultural heritage and a teeming, deserving population. A land sadly destroyed by its colonial past. Which, since its independence, is slowly trying to attain its rightful place in the World. It is here that I arrived five years back.

As I look back on my first five years of living in the Democratic Republic of Congo, there have been moments of floating and very often, little stings. I moved to Kinshasa for love. In the beginning, I can honestly admit, it was not love for the city or the country or the people – I didn’t know enough about this 

ginormous country and the 100+ million people that fill its borders – it was personal love. But five years later, I never thought I could love a country and its people as though they were mine. That love comes from the heart that feels the mystic rhythm of the African land, and I couldn’t be prouder to call it home.

You can never shake the ancient dust of Africa off your boots – no matter how far and wide you travel.

Having lived in London for thirteen years followed by a few years in the Middle East, returning to Africa was natural. 

The love for Africa always remains in the soul. Living in the heart and soul of Central Africa, has been an adventure.

The narratives that have filled Western Media have sung a different song for many years, call it geo-politics, strategic positioning, economic control, all things aside, the story of the Congo has never really been told loudly by the Congolese themselves. From the outside looking in, the perceptions are dotted and plagued with negativity, but on the ground, the beating hearts of the Congolese are rumbling a little louder day by day towards progress, and it’s in these slivers of hope, that the true stories are revealed.

The stories that spotlight the young entrepreneur battling to build a viable business, young students carving out their careers currently into untapped and underdeveloped industries, the non-existent middle class that should build the private sector and contribute to its growth and the country’s economy, international investors building projects that create jobs and wealth for the locals as much as it does for the financial interest in the Congo. We can’t talk about changing the narrative of a country when we don’t discuss the positive changes that education, infrastructure developments, economic policies, universal health care, food self sufficiency etc can contribute towards developing Congo.

In Africa, a transformative era is on the horizon as the continent sets its sights on change and development like never before, and country examples like Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Morocco, and Kenya are a testament to these positive changes. A combined drive by the Africans to build an Africa by Africans for a future developed Africa. A daunting task as a fellow African who first arrived in Kinshasa for a two-week trip which quickly extended from month to month and snowballed into creating a business in the field of strategic advisory and communications. It was created around the simple premise – the African narrative needs to be written by the Africans, and the Congolese needed a platform for their voices to be heard as far and wide across the globe.

At the heart of Africa, the center of its soul, the Congolese beats are picking up. Business is quietly picking up, post the first peaceful democratic elections. As the incumbent President Felix Tshisekedi embarks on his second mandate, the world waits with bated breath for the promised change and greater development, the impact of which can be felt across the entire population. Whether its infrastructure, governance reform, education, better health, access to basic needs – there are plenty of conversations to be had. Storytelling, an essential part of Congolese culture, an oral tradition that is filled with narratives, stories, and songs, need to be told from the perceptions and opinions of the Congolese.

In the past, and especially in 2023 the power and bias of the international media came to the forefront.

Geopolitics and powerful Media Houses controlled and amplified the narrative that in their perception was important. It’s only natural to question the visibility of certain global issues over another. This raises the question about the impact of our voices when catastrophes and issues affecting an African country are narrated differently. Whether it’s election, unrest or other catastrophes affecting an African country, sometimes the western media does not consider it newsworthy because they do not have an in-depth understanding and information of the issues and disasters that affects this Continent.

There are a lot of positive changes happening as well, and these news worthy developments need to be made a part of the Global narrative. Positive or negative these conversations need to be had openly and who better than the Africans to be at the forefront of this narrative. The true voices of the Congolese need to be heard from their heart and soul and from their perspective. That’s when the true picture of the reality of their lives, struggles and aspirations emerges.

There is a need for a platform where the Congolese voices and the African voices can be heard, where views can be freely given not as a negative but as a positive approach to help bring the DRC to take its rightful place, not just in Africa but also in the World. Is it not our experiences from around the world when put together with like minded individuals – where greatness begins? Where stories and narratives become the basis for legacies.

DRConversations is the platform created as a gift for all the voices that need to be heard, for all the emotions that need to be expressed and to bring forth the dreams and aspirations of a nation on the cusp of development. Join this journey by sharing openly your knowledge and experience to make DRC a happy, positive and progressive Nation.

It’s time for another rumble in the jungle – Welcome to the conversations from the Congo.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             KS