The session aimed to encourage women from Sosso-Nakombo and its surrounding areas to actively engage in the political life of their community.
The Sub-Prefecture of Sosso-Nakombo is located in the western part of the Central African Republic. Like other regions in the country, the women of Sosso-Nakombo are engaged in a determined struggle to rightfully claim their place in local governance. As local elections approach, a large-scale awareness campaign, initiated on May 1, 2024, by MINUSCA, highlighted the obstacles they face… but also the emerging hopes.
The session aimed to encourage women from Sosso-Nakombo and its surrounding areas to actively engage in the political life of their community. During this moment of exchange, the participants shared their concerns and identified the main barriers to their involvement. Among these were early or forced marriages, the dropout of girls from school, and the persistent lack of access to information about their civic and political rights.
A prominent figure in local activism, Virginie Nakombo, president of the Central African Women’s Organization (OFCA), spoke about the merits of the initiative: “Women have recognized the importance of the training provided by MINUSCA about their rights. Today, they have acquired basic knowledge that should encourage them to denounce any violation of their dignity. A woman is not an animal,” she emphasized, urging her peers to break the silence and take control of their destiny.
The president of OFCA was joined by Adèle Annie Belli, head of the social affairs department, who pointed out the urgency of the situation. She highlighted the ongoing inequalities while praising the growing mobilization of women: “We identified the main dysfunctions in Sosso-Nakombo: early or forced marriages, the school dropout of young girls, etc. However, this session has reignited motivation among the participants. Topics related to empowerment, female leadership, and peacebuilding received very favorable feedback.”
Around 130 participants attended the event, including about ten men. This strong mobilization was welcomed by the representative of the MINUSCA regional office in Berberati, Landry FEMTCHO, who also praised the presence of the sub-prefect and his delegation, illustrating “the attention the Central African State gives to gender equality.”
This initiative is part of a broader effort to promote women’s participation in public life in the Central African Republic, where women remain largely underrepresented in decision-making bodies. This awareness campaign thus represents a crucial step in a long and complex process, but one that is essential for establishing an inclusive democracy.