Celebration of International Day of Women

CONGO MEN’S NETWORK
“Women & Men’s Alliance for a Just World”

Celebration of International Day of Women

On the occasion of World Day of Women, Men allies of women have the honor, respect and more respect for all women of the planet earth in general and the DR Congo ones in particular.

We are a network of Congolese men called CONGO MEN‘S NETWORK “COMEN“ asbl acronym, an organization whose mission is to fight against the injustice of gender and all forms of violence based on gender. Our vision is to have a peaceful Congo where anyone finds joy in life without discrimination.

While we celebrate this day the statistics show that around 1100 cases of sexual violations are recorded each month with the majority of victims is made up of girls whose age is between 10 and 17 years which gives an average of 36 women raped each day.

We find that the Congolese woman is living in a prolonged terror and is a victim of violence in many forms, that is why we urge all men to mark the day when women present their claims to fairness, observe a day of reflection, meditation and Prayers for our daughters, sisters, mothers and wives who continue to suffer the most shameful abuse and cruelty that had ever known to humankind.

That the strength, power, resources and intelligence that we have can help us enhance the woman instead of underestimating them. The positive masculinity remains an effective solution for community stability and peace because it is a change and a revolution of attitudes vis-à-vis to women.

We reiterate the commitment of the Congolese Government to accede to international measures adopted to promote women in this case the adoption of a national action plan for gender mainstreaming at all levels of life.

Then end impunity for all perpetrators are brought to justice. We urge the international community to continue its support to our state institutions that impunity disappear so that the woman running and goes about his business quietly. We suggest that women’s organizations, human rights and those who work to promote equality are supported technically and financially to continue their outreach and awareness of UNSCR (1325.1820) on Women, peace and conflict resolution but also the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
To conclude this message we reaffirm our commitment to the promotion of gender in our communities while providing support to women in general in the fight against injustice and gender-based violence because without them peace and development are impossible.

Done in Goma, 06th March 2010

For COMEN asbl

MUTHAKA ILOT Alphonse
Spokesperson