291. Sensitization campaigns on non-discrimination are being organized: sensitization through
the procession held on 8 March on the occasion of International Women’s Day, media local
language engagement on the consideration of gender and the right to gender equality as well
as a 16-day activism drive.
292. In fact, the country is suffering from backward customs which make women victims of
numerous forms of discrimination. They have serious difficulties due to sexist prejudices in
proverbs, maxims, opinions and vernacular. Congolese culture does not encourage the
promotion of women. In respect of the cumbersome socio-cultural practices affecting
Congolese society, the budget allocated for gender issues does not encourage the
creation of a positive cultural environment for women. Indeed, the poor perception or
lack of acknowledgement of the place and importance of culture in national development
and the non-existence of a national cultural charter and a consistent programme for
the promotion of culture are some of the major problems confronting the DRC in the
cultural sector.
293. The post-conflict situation of the Democratic Republic of Congo requires a new look at
culture as conflict prevention and inter-cultural dialogue strategy and the need for cultural
engineering. Among others, the vision of the Government in this regard is to incorporate the
cultural dimension into all levels of development programmes and to recognize, preserve and
promote cultural values and identities in order to encourage inter-cultural dialogue, not
forgetting the recognition, protection and development of the cultural heritage and support
for capacity development in this area. The realization of this vision will be done through
several strategic pillars, including the promotion of cultural and artistic products in order to
ensure a change in backward mentalities and customs regarding the image of women, young
girls and children and the formulation of a cultural policy and a national cultural charter.
294. The participation of women in the formulation of cultural policies at all levels is particularly
ensured by the law on the rights of women and parity between men and women.
In fact, this law requires the equal participation of women in all sectors of national life and
the formulation of policies for their implementation. As soon as women get involved both
professionally and politically, the culture and arts sector is particularly affected. In the DRC,
women are playing active roles in the socio-cultural committees of Parliament and even chair
them sometimes. The GUNGU cultural festival, which has become an important cultural event
in the country, is led by a woman. Very often, it happens that the Government’s
representative at the helm of affairs at the Ministry of Culture and Arts is a woman. This
provides women with an opportunity to participate in the formulation of the national cultural
policy. At the level of the Francophonie, an international cultural institution, the DRC is
represented by a woman.
RIGHT TO A HEALTHY AND SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT (Art. 18)
295. The Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo is making the environment its main
concern, especially the forestry and nature conservation sector. Owing to the potentials and
opportunities it offers, the country is well in view on the international scene as a provider of
environmental services to the entire planet and particularly as a host of rare and varied
ecosystems rich in biodiversity. In spite of the efforts by the Government, Congolese men
and women still do not have access to a healthy and sustainable environment; access to
potable water is a problem especially in the rural areas, while sanitation in living
environments is pathetic and precarious. The recurrent wars of which the country has been
a victim have led to the displacement of the populations, insecurity in protected areas and a
devastating impact on the environment. All these armed conflicts do not also allow women
who constitute most of the population to live in a healthy and viable environment.
296. Generally, however, the following legislative measures have been taken to implement rights
specifically protected by the MAPUTO Protocol:
Law No. o. 11/009 of 9 July, 2011 on the fundamental principles relating to the
protection of the environment. Articles 46 and 47 stipulate that "Everyone has the right
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