In March 2021, the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) met with former and current beneficiaries of the Legal Scholarship Fund for Congolese Women to discuss their take on this year’s International Women's Day, especially considering the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic in the daily professional life of young women across the globe.
ABA ROLI’s Legal Scholarship (LS) Fund for Congolese Women was established in 2011 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to support legal education opportunities for women. The scholarship program has provided 62 Congolese women law students the resources to attend and graduate law school. Now in its tenth year, the program continues to support students at each of the primary state universities in North Kivu, South Kivu, and Maniema provinces in eastern DRC.
Ms. Kasika Kamala shared some of Ms. Shabani’s thoughts about women’s rights during the pandemic:
“Compared to other years, we can say that the related events focused on the persistent injustices as well as on the precariousness of being a woman during the COVID-19 health crisis. It is within this framework that we have paid sensitization visits to vulnerable women.
Learn more about ABA ROLI's work across Africa.
ABA ROLI’s Legal Scholarship (LS) Fund for Congolese Women was established in 2011 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to support legal education opportunities for women. The scholarship program has provided 62 Congolese women law students the resources to attend and graduate law school. Now in its tenth year, the program continues to support students at each of the primary state universities in North Kivu, South Kivu, and Maniema provinces in eastern DRC.
ABA ROLI Legal Scholarship Coordinator for the LS program in DRC Ms. Laetitia Makuta spoke with Ms. Joelle Shabani, a former LS program beneficiary who is now a successful lawyer at the South Kivu Bar and in charge of the legal aid department at the non-governmental organization Vision Social, a local organization that promotes good governance, democracy and human rights.
As Ms Shabani told us:
“It was not easy to celebrate [International Women’s Day] due to COVID-19 pandemic limitations. However, we found a way to mark this day with the female detainees at the Central Prison of Bukavu. During this session, we talked about the importance of detainees rights, especially in the times of pandemic and we used this opportunity to provide them with COVID-19 protection kits. Moreover, we decided to organize a similar sensitization discussion with the female traders in the local market.”
“It was not easy to celebrate [International Women’s Day] due to COVID-19 pandemic limitations. However, we found a way to mark this day with the female detainees at the Central Prison of Bukavu. During this session, we talked about the importance of detainees rights, especially in the times of pandemic and we used this opportunity to provide them with COVID-19 protection kits. Moreover, we decided to organize a similar sensitization discussion with the female traders in the local market.”
When asked about her own experiences during the pandemic, Ms. Shabani shared an impressive story about her self-awareness journey during campaigns organized by both ABA ROLI’s Legal Scholarship program at the University of Bukavu and Vision Social:
“I was able to overcome the stereotypes common to a woman’s career as a lawyer. This allowed me, while I am still young, to become a women and children rights defender in South Kivu. I also wrote an article on this topic titled ‘The legal and social protection of children born out of rape’, that was published on April 10, 2021 at the PANZI foundation for Doctor MUKWEGE (Nobel Peace Prize winner 2018).” As Ms. Shabani sharply concluded: “Women must accept that the Coronavirus is a reality. They must learn how to live with it and how to protect themselves from it. But more importantly, women must not underestimate themselves or other women. In spite of the current context, we must encourage each other and those who are still hesitating to embark on their life paths.”
The Program Coordinator Ms. Makuta also had a chance to talk to Ms. Alice Kasika Kamala, a 2nd year undergraduate student at the University of Goma, and a women's rights advocate.
“I was able to overcome the stereotypes common to a woman’s career as a lawyer. This allowed me, while I am still young, to become a women and children rights defender in South Kivu. I also wrote an article on this topic titled ‘The legal and social protection of children born out of rape’, that was published on April 10, 2021 at the PANZI foundation for Doctor MUKWEGE (Nobel Peace Prize winner 2018).” As Ms. Shabani sharply concluded: “Women must accept that the Coronavirus is a reality. They must learn how to live with it and how to protect themselves from it. But more importantly, women must not underestimate themselves or other women. In spite of the current context, we must encourage each other and those who are still hesitating to embark on their life paths.”
The Program Coordinator Ms. Makuta also had a chance to talk to Ms. Alice Kasika Kamala, a 2nd year undergraduate student at the University of Goma, and a women's rights advocate.
“Compared to other years, we can say that the related events focused on the persistent injustices as well as on the precariousness of being a woman during the COVID-19 health crisis. It is within this framework that we have paid sensitization visits to vulnerable women.
Ms. Kasika Kamala went on to explain the role of women during these challenging times:
“Women play a key role in the fight against the COVID-19 virus as frontline health workers and family caregivers. As a result, women are also more exposed to related economic consequences of the pandemic, as they often take on less secure jobs. Specifically, nearly 60% of women are working in the informal sector, making them more likely to fall in deep poverty. To improve women’s participation in socio-economical life and to address their marginalization, give them a voice and listen to their views. Just reflect on women’s ability to fight for the good of their families and society, for better health and access to education, for better jobs and income, and their courage. There is nothing more unique than that about women.”
The conversation continued with another one of our fellows, Ms. Asele Shabani Dorcas, a current LS program scholarship recipient from Bukavu, who shared her take on the COVID-19 implications on the role of women and the celebration of International Women's Day:
“Compared to other years, this year's [International Women’s Day] was celebrated in a special way because of the pandemic protection. However, this year I received three honors in college, I got a small grant from International Bridges to Justice for an access to justice project for girls and I will soon be sworn in as a judicial defender...In short, as soon as I realized that being a woman does not me prevent from doing what I want, my dream started to come to life. Of course, society doesn't make it easy for us, but if your goal is set, nothing is impossible. Female leadership is an element that guides our actions every day. I always tell myself that society and the world expects a lot from me and as a woman I will do my part of contributing to this planet.”
“Women play a key role in the fight against the COVID-19 virus as frontline health workers and family caregivers. As a result, women are also more exposed to related economic consequences of the pandemic, as they often take on less secure jobs. Specifically, nearly 60% of women are working in the informal sector, making them more likely to fall in deep poverty. To improve women’s participation in socio-economical life and to address their marginalization, give them a voice and listen to their views. Just reflect on women’s ability to fight for the good of their families and society, for better health and access to education, for better jobs and income, and their courage. There is nothing more unique than that about women.”
“Compared to other years, this year's [International Women’s Day] was celebrated in a special way because of the pandemic protection. However, this year I received three honors in college, I got a small grant from International Bridges to Justice for an access to justice project for girls and I will soon be sworn in as a judicial defender...In short, as soon as I realized that being a woman does not me prevent from doing what I want, my dream started to come to life. Of course, society doesn't make it easy for us, but if your goal is set, nothing is impossible. Female leadership is an element that guides our actions every day. I always tell myself that society and the world expects a lot from me and as a woman I will do my part of contributing to this planet.”
Despite this year’s International Women’s Day celebration looked different than previous years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ABA ROLI in the DRC organized a Luncheon with Employees event dedicated to International Women's Month, under the auspices of the C-GBV/ TUSHINDE UJEURI Project Overcoming Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. During the discussion, ABA ROLI employees discussed the importance of structural integration and protection of women in the societal, customary, and state structure and staff shared their views on gender equality, as well as their own experiences in the protection and promotion of women's rights in everyday life.
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| International Women’s Day Luncheon with ABA ROLI staff in DRC |
Learn more about ABA ROLI's work across Africa.
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