Launch of the Voix EssentiELLES | Women’s Leadership Against Malaria Mentorship Program in the DRC

Kinshasa, DRC

On Saturday, March 7, 2026, on the eve of International Women’s Rights Day, Speak Up Africa officially launched the Voix EssentiELLES | Women’s Leadership Against Malaria Mentorship Program in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.

The event brought together health and political authorities, technical and financial partners, civil society organizations, as well as the program’s mentors and mentees from the DRC, Burkina Faso, and Côte d’Ivoire.

A Context That Calls for Action

The Democratic Republic of Congo bears nearly 12.6% of the global malaria burden. In 2022, the country recorded more than 27 million cases and nearly 25,000 deaths, making malaria the leading cause of mortality. Women, who are particularly vulnerable, remain too often excluded from decision-making spaces: only 37% of married women actively participate in decisions regarding their own health.

A Program Designed to Drive Change

Designed as part of the Voix EssentiELLES | Women’s Leadership Against Malaria project with support from the Global Fund, this mentorship program aims to strengthen the leadership capacities of 16 women from civil society organizations in the DRC, Burkina Faso, and Côte d’Ivoire, in order to increase their participation in health and community governance bodies.

The launch ceremony was marked by high-level addresses, including that of Honorable Deputy Dieudonné Mposhi, President of the Malaria Commission at the DRC National Assembly, who underscored that malaria remains the leading cause of mortality in the DRC and that supporting the participation and inclusion of women in health governance is essential.

« This mentorship program is a concrete response. When women are involved, communities are better mobilized and results are more sustainable. » Honorable Dieudonné Mposhi

The day continued with an inspiring panel under the theme « The Impact of Female Leadership Across Sectors, » bringing together prominent women leaders: Clarisse Mbo Modiri, Head of Service at the PNLP, Euphrasie Kayembe, journalist and communication expert, Caroline Norah Pindi, President of the Congo Women Architects Association, and Honorable Christelle Vuanga, Member of the National Assembly.

Drawing on the diversity of their fields of action, they offered concrete contributions that speak to the real impact of women’s leadership at multiple levels.

« When a woman takes her place in health governance, it is not only she who moves forward — it is an entire community she protects. In 26 years serving the fight against malaria, I have learned that women’s leadership is not declared, it is proven, one community at a time. » Clarisse Mbo Modiri

An initial mentoring session led by mentor Euphrasie Kayembe was also held during the afternoon for the mentees, focusing on the theme « Communicating with Impact: Public Speaking. »

About Voix EssentiELLES | Women’s Leadership Against Malaria

Voix EssentiELLES | Women’s Leadership Against Malaria is an initiative implemented by Speak Up Africa with support from the Global Fund, across three countries: the DRC, Burkina Faso, and Côte d’Ivoire. It aims to strengthen the leadership of women and girls at the heart of the fight against malaria in francophone Africa, by facilitating access to resources for community organizations and supporting their capacity to influence national health policies and programs.