Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – The Kadiwaku Foundation (KF), in collaboration with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Organisation pour le bien-être des albinos au congo (OBEAC), organized a round table dialogue on political participation of people with disabilities in the city of Lubumbashi (Upper Katanga Province) on September 7, 2022.
It is difficult for PWDs in the DRC to access political and voting processes because they rarely have a voice in political decision making and processes. According to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, states parties must take measures to eliminate disability discrimination and ensure their equal participation in civic and political life. Despite disability rights awareness in political parties and the general population being low, political participation remains a serious problem. Only two percent of PWDs voted in the general election in 2006, according to the National Federation of Associations of People Living with Disabilities Congo (FENAPHACO).
During this round table, the barriers and enablers of people with disabilities’ participation in political life were identified, and lessons learned from previous elections were discussed, with an eye toward the national and local elections in the DRC. DR Ministry in charge of People with Disabilities, media organizations, and political party representatives were among the many key stakeholders present, in addition to representatives from disabled people organizations, academia and civil society groups. The round table was organized to discuss whether and how people with disabilities can participate in the upcoming national and local elections.
Countless investigations reveal that people with disabilities are barred from political participation due to inaccessible voting environments, discrimination, social and political barriers, and a systematic lack of political representation. This round table is just one of the many actions that Kadiwaku Foundation DRC is taking in order to ensure the participation of individuals with disabilities in DR Congo’s politics, says Didier Ntimansiemi, Country Director of Kadiwaku Foundation DRC.
The Kadiwaku Foundation is striving to rally the resources and funding required to launch a nationwide initiative ensuring that the upcoming elections are accessible to all individuals, thereby enabling people with disabilities to participate as candidates and voters to obtain accessible information.
Organizations and funders interested in supporting or participating in the design process and implementation of this initiative can reach out to us at info@kadiwaku-drc.org or follow us on social media platforms to stay up-to-date.
About Independent National Electoral Commission
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is an institution in Support of Democracy, enshrined in the Organic Law No. 10/013 of 28 July 2010 on the organization, powers and functioning of this Institution. The Constitution establishes an Electoral Commission to conduct the DRC’s first democratic election since 1960. Article 154 of the Constitution establishes the Commission, which is made up of twenty-one members.
About Organisation pour le bien-être des albinos au Congo
L’ Organisation pour le Bien-Etre des Albinos au Congo is a self-led and community-based organization that works to advance the human rights in the city of Lubumbashi. The organization uses training, advocacy and community engagement to achieve its mission.
