SONGA MBELE : "Making Progress" and the implication of women in the search for peace

English translation by community member LightMyWay.

In just a few days we will be celebrating the International Day of Peace. We all need peace even if conflict is our very close neighbor. Conflict is natural, normal, and neutral. But we must manage it. In our country, managing it is what causes the problem. Women, the first victims of conflict, are still not associated with the search for peace; it is violence. Resolution 1325 and 1820 give women this chance. Unfortunately, many women don’t know about it. This is why on local radio station “Neno la Uzima,” with our show “Songa Mbele,” which means “Making Progress” and airs every Thursday from 7:30 to 8:00, we have kicked off a campaign to raise peace awareness among the population, because we want peace, nothing but peace.

Women, always victims of violence in one way or another, in this or that domain, must seize this occasion to make themselves count in the search for peace, that people might enjoy it all their lives. Peace is the key to development, and women are the pillar of peace, according to Joelle Cikwanine, Peace Ambassador from the Maman Shujaa Centre. The DRC needs to protect, prevent, actively participate, promote and be involved in legal proceedings of cases of prejudice TOWARDS WOMEN. Pastor Josué Akili has shown that true peace comes from the heart, with us on the radio show this past Thursday, 11 September 2014. Nonetheless, it is necessary to search for peace with everybody.

Women must become actors and artisans of peace wherever they are, for the benefit of everyone and for THEIR OWN WELL-BEING….to be continued this Thursday, 18 September 2014, if electricity allows, because that’s also a headache for us here.