In our discriminative societies there are women, including traditional ones, who have become role models because they manage public property in a satisfactory manner.

Venantie Bisimwa Nabintu (45) is the executive secretary of Women’s Network for Justice and Peace (Rfdp) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Since 1992, Rfdp has fought against all forms of discrimination and violence against women and other vulnerable members of society. She is a human rights activist and she mobilizes women to repel violence.

Venantie Bisimwa affirms that the world was created for men and women and therefore she should not ask anyone permission to live a better life. A married mother of three, Venantie holds a university degree. Her professional experience helps her encourage other women, who in her opinion benefit the society and must therefore be valued. She notes, “In our discriminative societies there are women, including traditional ones, who have become role models because they manage public property in a satisfactory manner.” These examples she says impelled her to form two women NGOs. Presently Rfdp supports Congolese women from diverse political and ideological backgrounds in the South Kivu region through networking, in order to safeguard peace and advocate for gender-based interests in the DRC. Through her organization she sensitizes and trains women and men on human rights, peace and gender. She also organizes conferences, presents radio programs with debates, carries out research and writes publications denouncing violence. The moral and material support she receives from her family has sustained her work. She recalls that her parents brought up both male and female children equally. She says there is no need to have an unjust and discriminatory society. She adds that with sustained hope any action, however small, towards building a just society, will give chances to women. That society will already have sown seeds for needed change.

Women Network for Justice (Rfdp)