The Ambassador of Spain to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Maria Del Carmen Díez Orejas, shared Spain's legislative and social journey towards gender equality during a conference on March 15, 2025, at the Karibuni Library, on the occasion of Women's Rights Month. The event was organized in partnership with the National Institute of Building and Public Works (INBTP).
In front of a packed room, with the participation of the Director-General of INBTP, Tshibangu Munyenze Cédrick, academics, students, members of the Teresian Association, and the president of the Catholic Mothers' Movement of Congo, the Spanish Head of Mission stated: “Equality is a necessary condition for more just, democratic, and prosperous societies, and an economic imperative.” She traced Spain's evolution from the constitutional inscription of equality to the pioneering 2007 law, a “social transformation project.”
Mrs. Díez Orejas detailed the key recent advancements: the law aiming for 40% women in leadership positions by 2026 and the “Only yes means yes” law on explicit consent. She also emphasized the importance of equality plans in companies and the role of the media.
The diplomat affirmed that the Spanish experience proves that a transformation is possible with “political will, an ambitious legislative framework, and the complicity of the media.”
Addressing the future engineers present, she invited them to draw inspiration from these advancements to be agents of change in the DRC, deeming their creativity crucial. She congratulated INBTP for its newly created gender commission, assuring the institute of the Embassy's support to collaborate on these issues.
Laurette Mondzola, Kinshasa.
Published in News