Celebrating Graduation Day in the Democratic Republic of Congo
It’s the season of exam results and school breaking up in the UK – and July was also graduation time for many of the women we serve in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Last month saw ceremonies and celebrations across several communities in South Kivu, eastern DRC, where 600 women (24 training groups) graduated from our 12-month social and economic empowerment programme. These groups were part of a 5-year project funded by The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Funding Leadership and Opportunities for Women (FLOW) programme – which aims to strengthen marginalised women’s self-reliance and tackle violence.
But the spotlight was firmly on the women and their success stories. Amidst the speeches, singing and dancing, we asked a few of them to share what they would take away from their year of training, and what the experience had meant for them.
Since enrolling in the training programme, I’ve discovered so much and I value myself in my family and in my community… I also understood my rights.
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"I learned how, with a small investment, I could increase my household income and strengthen my farming activities," shared Muderhwa. Photo: Ryan Carter -
The graduation was a chance for our programme graduates to reflect on their journey and share their achievements with their classmates, families and wider communities. Photo: Ryan Carter -
“With the training that Women for Women International gave me, I also understood my rights, and now, I send my girls to school, as well as the boys, which I would never have imagined before,” said Muderhwa. Photo: Ryan Carter -
Women show off the baskets they made in vocational training. Photo: Ryan Carter
With the knowledge I gained during the programme, I discovered a leader within myself - able to defend my rights before members of my community, even in front of authorities. Now I am seen by other women as a leader.
Today, I am a very proud woman… My husband does not treat me like a burden anymore, he respects me. Coming together with other women in the village has made me stronger in everything I do.
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Women reported increasing their monthly earnings from an average of $16.72 at enrolment to $49.70 at graduation and again to $60 one year after the programme. Photo: Ryan Carter -
"Today, I can also support my husband in financing our household expenses – I am able to generate an income of my own through my business activities" said Rondo, a programme graduate in DRC. Photo: Ryan Carter -
"Coming together with other women in the village has made me stronger in everything I do," shared Rondo. Photo: Ryan Carte -
"I produce handcrafts and baskets to sell and make my own income. The profits allow me to contribute to our household expenses." Kalimurhima, programme graduate. Photo: Ryan Carter
The monthly training stipend
The monthly training stipend (the equivalent of around $10) is a key part of the programme – it’s a vital step for women who have often been excluded from earning income and making decisions on how money is spent. Many women save up their stipends to help them purchase resources to establish their businesses, as well as to help cover their household needs while in training.
Thanks to my wife's participation in the Women for Women International programme, we managed to buy a field and start a small business.
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“I recognise my part in what my husband does because I’m involved in all the decision-making. It is no longer his decision alone, but ours, which was not the case before.” Rondo, programme graduate, DRC. Photo: Ryan Carter -
"My husband took part in the Men's Engagement Programme with Women for Women International, and he totally changed. He helps me with the farming, and he even shares the housework,” shares Bashige, programme graduate, DRC. Photo: Ryan Carter -
“From the training, I also understood my rights: I know that if my husband or his family trespasses on my rights - as is the custom here - I can go to court,” says Muderhwa, programme graduate, DRC. Photo: Ryan Carter
After taking part in the training module on women's rights and decision-making, I realised that I had the same rights as my brothers to inherit our parents’ property and now I have my own land.
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11% of participants reported running for a leadership position in their communities, while 62% run one year after completing the programme. Photo: Ryan Carter -
“I no longer feel like a burden, but a person who people count on - even my husband,” shared Kalimurhima, programme graduate, DRC. Photo: Ryan Carter -
At the graduation, the spotlight was firmly on the women, their success stories and what they would take away from their year of training, and what the experience had meant for them. Photo: Ryan Carter -
The graduation was a chance for our programme graduates to reflect on their journey and share their achievements with their classmates, families and wider communities. Photo: Ryan Carter
Our Impact
Recent programme data from DRC – collected through participant surveys – shows the impact of our training in measurable terms: women reported increasing their monthly earnings from an average of $16.72 at enrollment to $49.70 at graduation, and again to $60 one year after the programme. And at graduation, 11% of participants reported running for a leadership position in their communities, while 62% run one year after completing the programme.
We’re profoundly grateful to The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their transformative investment in the women we serve in the DRC.
As this cohort of 600 women moves on to the next phase of their journey, there are many more women waiting for an opportunity to build self-reliance and create change for themselves and their communities.
Many other families live in poverty in our community. We hope that in the future they will also benefit from the programme... I hope it continues forever.
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