Women and peace-building in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: An assessment of the their role in the Inter-Congolese dialogue

Abstract

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a country that has never truly experienced peace or democracy. As a result, achieving peace through negotiations has proven to be an extremely difficult process. This paper assesses the Inter-Congolese Dialogue (ICD) process, especially concerning women's contributions to peace-building in the DRC. The role of women at the ICD has rarely been discussed. However, increasingly we are witnessing the importance of women at the peace table. This is critical given the impact of war on women during and after the conflict. The women of the DRC have indeed endured many years of gross violations of human rights, and their participation in peace building in the DRC is therefore critical for the future of the country.