"I was lucky because I have never felt discriminated. My parents treated me the same way as my brothers. They let me go to school and pursue my dreams. I think they didn’t realize the impact it would have in my life. Only later when I got to know that other girls weren’t given the same chances, I realized what my parents had done for me and I am glad to say, it also saved my life."

We left everything behind us

With a handbag containing few personal documents, my children and I crossed the border to Zaire in June 1994 from where we moved on to Zambia. Leaving Rwanda was a matter of saving our lives. Slowly we acknowledged that we were refugees without a home. Four years later, I arrived in Stockholm. The Swedish people were very friendly and open minded. They shared information and provided guidance in all matters of life. All of this helped us to regain a sense of stability after a long period of uncertainty. I perceived the Swedish society as humble but steady. And I understood that they developed because of their hard work but also, because of strongly shared social ideals and an early recognition of women’s contribution to the labour force. I wanted to be more than accepted but to integrate fully in this progressive society, as an active member of the social fabric. During this time, I benefited from the fact that I had learned to believe in myself and my competences. With young children, I also felt a duty to lead by example and returned to university. I acquired a master’s degree in International relations and a doctoral degree in Social sciences with specialization in pluralistic governance, peacebuilding and international development. Sweden illustrates for me an equal society.

Leaving women behind is a missed opportunity for the country

For me it is an honour to serve in the EUAM RCA Mission and to contribute to ongoing reforms in Africa. I feel I have something to give back to my native continent and to my adopted one. I have worked in a variety of conflict-affected contexts and can easily share my experiences on rebuilding inclusive societies and democratic institutions.

Although Central African Republic has ratified many of the international conventions contributing to gender equality, women are still underrepresented in state institutions and deprived of many rights. This is not only discriminatory for women but also and above all, a missed opportunity for the country as a whole. Women contribute significantly to peace and socio-economic development. They should be equally included in institutional reforms taking place so that their specific needs are taken into account in the reframing of state structures and regulations. There is a difference between being on board and being talked about!

The momentum offers a great opportunity for gender equality

EUAM RCA’s work focuses on reforming the security sector in order to improve the security situation of the population. Years of instability since the 2013 crisis have led to a paralysis of the work of public institutions (police, gendarmerie, and the judiciary). There is therefore an urgency to rebuild a rule-based society and an inclusive security sector. The momentum offers a great opportunity to promote and support gender equality and an equitable participation of women in the ongoing institutional and operational reforms. My task consists in integrating a gender perspective in the Mission’s internal functioning and in the support activities that the Mission’s strategic advisors carry out in partnership with local counterparts. The discrimination of women is not that they are less capable of carrying out duties similar to those of their fellow men. Rather, social traditions sometimes combine with weak regulatory structures in marginalizing certain social groups in the distribution of productive assets and opportunities. Women tend to be the easy victims of such practices. Raising awareness about such injustices towards women and strengthening women’s self-confidence about their own skills and competences can improve the distribution of opportunities between men and women, and lead to a more equitable participation of women in security processes and the governance of their societies. Ultimately, such inclusiveness would strengthen progress towards sustainable peace and development.

Interaction between Internal security forces and civil society is necessary

The proportion of women in the police and gendarmerie is around 25 per cent. In a conflict context where the most vulnerable are also affected by gender-based violence, the presence of women in internal security forces increases opportunities for justice and recovery. Female security officers can enable a better understanding of the gender-based violence problematique and a more appropriate response to the needs of victims. I follow up on these diverse aspects to identify where and how advisory support can be provided. I also work closely with civil society to gain a better understanding and to facilitate between formal and informal security actors. Civil society actors are embedded in the society, they are well placed to provide updated information on developments on the ground and to facilitate outreach when it comes to advocating for change. It is therefore necessary that formal security actors (police, gendarmerie and the army) can develop collaborative networks with civil society in order to increase synergies in the implementation of security reforms. Though there is plenty to be done, a good complementarity of efforts and collaboration would go a long way!