DRC First Lady Denise Nyakeru backs women’s unity for peace in DRC

DRC First Lady Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi used International Women’s Day events in Kinshasa to call for women’s unity and renewed prayers for peace, stability and national cohesion. During the March 8 commemoration, she urged Congolese women to stay “united and in solidarity” as the country faces ongoing national challenges.

According to the main source, Denise Nyakeru first joined the official ceremony organized by the Ministry of Gender, Family and Children at Tata Raphaël Stadium. She later met members of the UDPS Women’s League at the ruling party’s headquarters, where they reaffirmed support for President Félix Tshisekedi’s actions in favor of peace, democracy and development.

Her day concluded at Athénée de la Gombe, where she met women from the Union for the Congolese Nation, the party led by Vital Kamerhe. Her communications team said the different meetings reflected the mobilization of Congolese women around empowerment and their contribution to national cohesion.

The events unfolded as the Democratic Republic of Congo marked International Women’s Day alongside the rest of the world on March 8. The UN says the 2026 global theme is “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls,” while the article says the DRC observed the day under the national theme “Congolese women at the center of all ambitions.”

In that context, Denise Nyakeru’s message framed women not only as beneficiaries of empowerment efforts, but also as active participants in the country’s peace and social cohesion agenda. The emphasis on unity, prayer and engagement across political women’s groups pointed to a broader appeal for collective civic responsibility at a moment when peace remains a central national concern.