Immaculée Birhaheka

Immaculée has been a transformative force for women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), bringing their issues to the forefront of governance and significantly enhancing their roles in society. By founding the first women-led organization in the DRC and advocating for women’s leadership and rights, she has inspired a growing representation of women in leadership, even amid persistent societal and judicial challenges.

Immaculée has transformed the landscape for women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the surrounding region, opening doors that were previously closed. By elevating women’s issues from the periphery to the center of governance, she has significantly enhanced the role of women in society. This shift is evident in the growing representation of women in government, with countries like Rwanda achieving 60% female participation and the DRC reaching 30%, including the current female Prime Minister. Historically, women were relegated to the background, lacking a voice and a role in decision-making. In 1993, at a time when men were the decision-makers, even work on women’s issues, Immaculée founded the first women-led organization in the DRC, the Programme d’Appui aux Initiatives Féminines (PAIF), to challenge the narrative that confined women to domestic roles and equip women to lead as advocates for women’s rights.

Immaculée’s efforts have fundamentally shifted societal mindsets about women’s leadership. Growing up in a context where women were expected to remain in the kitchen, she fought to change this narrative, demonstrating that women can be leaders and advocates for justice. Until her pioneering work, women’s issues were addressed as singular issues by organizations run by men. She instead adopted a holistic approach to women’s rights, establishing women’s associations and regional federations to engage women and bring them to the table as decision-makers. Immaculée has worked tirelessly to equip women for leadership positions, enhancing their competencies and education. In 1993, there was only one female magistrate in the DRC, highlighting the urgent need for change nationwide. Immaculée emerged as a key actor, empowering women to become driving forces within institutions. Today, the presence of women in key government roles, including the Prime Minister and the current powerful woman foreign policy minister, is a testament to her efforts, among many other leadership roles women now hold.

Despite the progress Immaculee was making, the judicial system remained largely male-dominated. Recognizing these disparities, Immaculée encouraged thousands of women to enroll at the Université Libre des Pays des Grands Lacs (ULPGL), which led to the formation of the Association des Femmes Juristes. This initiative aimed to empower women both legally and socially, addressing the root causes of family injustices. Immaculée has also engaged with international bodies, such as the International Criminal Court (ICC), stressing the importance of access to justice for Congolese women.

Immaculée has made significant strides in advocating for women’s rights and addressing injustices in the DRC. She employs transitional justice strategies to confront war crimes overlooked by the local justice system, partnering with organizations like TRIAL and Human Rights Watch to train women in supporting victims of violence. Her work has highlighted the need for separating male and female prisoners, as women face heightened vulnerability to abuse.

To combat rampant sexual violence in schools, Immaculée established discussion clubs and collaborated with Catholic school divisions to raise awareness and create safe spaces. Her efforts led to a regional initiative uniting women from the Great Lakes region to support survivors of sexual violence. With backing from organizations like Global Funds for Women, she has mobilized over 100,000 women to advocate for their rights in Uganda, Burundi, DRC and Rwanda.
Looking ahead, Immaculée is passionate about investing in youth, envisioning a society where young girls grow up in safe environments free from violence and exploitation. She aims to protect girls from abuse in bars and hotels, ensuring they have opportunities for education and fulfilling lives. Her dedication continues to inspire change and foster hope for a more equitable future in the DRC.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has a long history of systemic oppression that has marginalized women and restricted their roles in society. As of 1993, there were no women-led organizations, and women had little to no voice in political leadership. Their contributions were largely confined to household duties and caregiving for children, further entrenching gender inequality and limiting their opportunities for empowerment and agency.

This lack of agency was exacerbated by cultural norms and government structures that undermined their contributions and decision-making power. Women often had to wait for male family members, typically husbands, to make decisions on their behalf, further entrenching gender inequality.

The judicial system in the DRC has historically been biased against women, presenting formidable barriers to their access to justice. Until recently, there was only one female magistrate in the entire country, with no women judges or advocates to support women’s rights. Structural barriers and cultural norms have long suppressed women’s self-expression and participation in public life. For instance, women face a significantly higher poverty rate than men, with limited opportunities for economic independence. Additionally, laws surrounding property ownership and inheritance often exclude women, denying them critical rights and resources.

Sexual violence remains a pervasive issue, with victims frequently criminalized rather than supported. Women’s rights are often overlooked or disrespected within society, while feminist ideals are viewed as taboo, compounded by a lack of educated female leaders and professionals.

In schools, sexual violence is rampant, with teachers violating their own students. Efforts to combat these issues have been minimal, with existing organizations often led by men, sidelining women’s voices and concerns. This systemic oppression has created an environment where women feel marginalized and unable to effectively advocate for their rights.

Immaculée’s strategy focuses on empowering women to form associations and build a strong advocacy movement, equipping women for leadership, and fostering cross-sector partnerships to transform systems affecting women.

Advocacy Movement

When Immaculee started PAIF, she quickly understood that she could not alone advocate for women’s issues. She recognized the urgent need for a platform where women in the Great Lakes region could openly discuss their issues and advocate for their rights. To achieve this, she focused on establishing women’s associations and fostering unity among them. Immaculée founded both national and regional federations to advance women’s rights and gender equality. Among these is COCAFEM/GL, a regional women’s federation that unites women from the DRC, Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda, dedicated to promoting gender equality and empowering women across these nations. Additionally, she established SEE FAR, an organization that supports visionary women and serves as a continental federation that amplifies their voices. SEE FAR plays a crucial role in fostering leadership and advocacy for women throughout Africa.

CAFED (Collectif des Associations des Femmes de la RDC) operates at the national level, focusing on advocacy for women’s rights within the Democratic Republic of Congo. In contrast, COCAFEM/GL engages at the regional level, tackling similar issues across the Great Lakes region.

These two organizations are interconnected through their shared mission of empowering women. CAFED provides a national platform for policy advocacy and mobilization, while COCAFEM/GL enhances regional cooperation among civil society organizations. Together, they form a cohesive network that amplifies their collective efforts, enabling them to effectively address both national and regional challenges in the pursuit of gender equality.

This grassroots approach not only empowered women to voice their concerns but also promoted collaboration across organizations, enhancing their advocacy efforts on a regional scale. For example, several countries in the region have adopted policies to ensure that at least 30% of leadership positions are held by women. In Rwanda, women make up 60% of the government and parliament. Additionally, the Democratic Republic of Congo has made history with its first female Prime Minister.

In Uganda, Jessica Alupo is the Vice President, exemplifying women in leadership. Across various sectors, thousands of women are stepping into key positions, including influential roles in international organizations like Louise Mushikiwabo who serves as the Secretary General of La Francophonie, and many UN bodies are led by women as well. Grassroots civil society is also seeing women take the lead in judicial roles and beyond.

In her international involvement, Immaculée has participated in the Gender Working Group and the Gender Cluster regionally and beyond, which allowed her to collaborate with agencies such as UNICEF, UNDP, and UNFPA, thereby enhancing the comprehensive promotion of gender equality and women’s rights. This participation has not only broadened her network but also provided her with valuable platforms to advocate for policy changes and implement entrepreneurial initiatives that empower women. By leveraging these experiences, she has successfully championed projects that address gender disparities, showcasing her commitment to driving meaningful change in her community and in the region.

Equipping Women Leaders

Furthermore, she worked to equip women for leadership positions within regional and national organizations offering them with training on effective communication, reducing their vulnerability to arrests and trauma, while encouraging them to critically analyze community issues and take meaningful actions.

Regular meetings were introduced in schools to raise awareness and foster safe spaces for open dialogue between students and teachers. These gatherings explored various themes, including the vital role of women in the education sector, women’s leadership, and their economic contributions. Immaculee played a key role in this initiative, visiting and training staff at over 350 schools. She also established student clubs dedicated to empowering young women. Her efforts significantly transformed the culture within these institutions, influencing how priests, teachers, and the Catholic Church perceive and support young women.

Immaculée’s initiatives also included creating practical solutions for women’s empowerment, such as establishing hands-on skills centers for girls and young women. These centers provide training in various vocational skills, including hairdressing, tailoring, and literacy programs for those who cannot read or write. Since 2007, she has welcomed approximately 450 young girls annually, including those affected by trauma, and offered academic and medical support.

One of Immaculée’s strategies involved establishing a network of young women graduates in partnership with the Université Libre des Pays des Grands Lacs (ULPGL). This initiative united them into an association that promoted legal education for young girls. By engaging local churches, she raised awareness about the importance of women studying law, breaking down barriers and fostering support. This approach empowered young women to pursue careers as magistrates and jurists, transforming the judicial system in the DRC and ensuring women’s voices were heard.

Recognizing the historical bias against women in the judiciary, where judicial work was traditionally seen as a male domain, Immaculée created a supportive platform called Dynamic des Femmes Juristes et Sauti ya Mama Mukongomani and Marcher Mondiale des Femmes. This platform fosters collaboration among female legal professionals, enhancing women’s representation in the judicial system while providing mentorship and training opportunities. In practice, female magistrates serve as role models, inspiring the next generation of women in the Great Lakes region to pursue careers in law and effectively advocate for women’s rights. This initiative not only empowers women but also transforms the legal landscape by promoting gender equality within the judiciary.

Through this network, Immaculée promotes legal reforms and raises awareness about gender-based violence, ensuring that women’s issues are addressed within the judicial framework. By building this community of empowered women, she is working to dismantle entrenched barriers and create a more equitable legal system. By developing skills and recognizing women’s competencies in various sectors, including the military – with DRC now having female generals – Immaculée has paved the way for women to become police officers and jurists, reinforcing the judicial framework in the country.

Cross-sector Partnerships to Change Systems

Immaculée’s partnership strategy effectively addresses human rights and women’s rights through collaboration with local authorities and organizations like UN Women, UNFPA, and BMZ from Germany. By forming cross-sector partnerships, including with the PSPE (Police Spéciale pour les Femmes et Enfants), she addresses urgent protection needs for vulnerable women and girls. Her advocacy has drawn attention from state institutions, facilitating partnerships that empower grassroots women and elevate gender issues to central societal governance. Key initiatives, such as the 16 Days of mindset, Activism against Gender-Based Violence and judicial assistance programs, have resulted in tangible outcomes, including financial support for education, community reintegration kits, and essential medical and psychological services for survivors of violence. By emphasizing unity and networking, Immaculée ensures women’s voices are recognized, fostering systemic change and highlighting the effectiveness of collaborative efforts in promoting gender equality.

Key partners in Immaculée’s strategy include the Global Fund for Women and Medica Mondiale, both of which play vital roles in empowering grassroots women. These partnerships focus on financial funding and providing practical skills, income-generating activities, and essential medical and psychological support for survivors of violence. PAIF collaborates with numerous national and international organizations, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the Fonds pour les droits humains mondiaux (FDHM), to enhance women’s rights and promote justice. This partnership leverages resources and expertise to facilitate coordinated actions, driving systemic change and achieving positive outcomes for women throughout society. By collaborating with these organizations, Immaculée emphasizes the importance of unity and networking, which are crucial for ensuring that women’s voices are recognized by authorities.

Additionally, partnerships with civil society organizations facilitate community engagement and case referrals, while international donors support urgent interventions and advocacy efforts. This collaborative framework not only enhances women’s representation in governance but also transforms perceptions of women’s issues, shifting them from peripheral concerns to central elements of societal governance. Through these partnerships, Immaculée effectively fosters systemic change and promotes gender equality. By collaborating with partners like DFJ (Dynamique des Femmes Juristes) for legal assistance and promoting educational initiatives with stakeholders such as the Ministry of Education, Immaculée has made significant strides in ensuring that girls remain in school and gain the skills necessary for financial independence and self-advocacy.

Immaculée Birhaheka was born on November 10, 1958, in Mwanda, South Kivu-Kabare, as the fifth of eleven siblings in a modest family. Her father, an architect, and her mother, a farmer, instilled in her the values of hard work and perseverance. Tragically, she lost her older sister and both parents at a young age, which profoundly shaped her resilience.

Prior to her parents’ death, as a young girl, Immaculée often found herself in the kitchen, cooking for her brothers while her mother enforced traditional gender roles. She and her sisters had to wait until their brothers returned from football before they could eat together. This practice frustrated Immaculée, as it underscored the societal norms that placed girls in subordinate positions and taught them to prioritize the needs of boys over their own. This experience fueled her determination to challenge these inequities and advocate for women’s rights.

Immaculée’s journey to amplify the voices of women began when she became the first girl to enroll in university in the Eastern region of DRC, a groundbreaking achievement at the time. A few other girls joined the university after her, but they all faced discrimination. They faced persistent inequalities, particularly the expectation that women would take on traditional roles while men enjoyed the privileges of education. One pivotal day, Immaculée and her fellow female students decided to take a stand during a visit from the governor to their university. After the women were required to prepare food for the event, they felt a deep sense of frustration at the expectation that they were merely to serve while their male counterparts enjoyed the festivities. In an act of protest, they locked all the food in their rooms and left the venue, sending a powerful message that they would no longer accept being treated as secondary participants in university life.
This bold act of defiance was not just about the food; it was a demand for recognition and respect as equal members of the academic community. Their protest ignited vital discussions about gender equality on campus, challenging the entrenched norms that dictated women’s roles and responsibilities.

This moment of protest symbolized a turning point, marking a collective awakening among the female students. It highlighted the urgent need to address gender disparities and laid the foundation for ongoing advocacy for women’s rights within the university and beyond. Immaculée’s actions not only challenged the status quo but also inspired her peers to join her in the fight for equality, setting the stage for a broader movement toward gender equity in education.

For her thesis, Immaculée focused on the struggles women faced in society and the need to shift mindsets about gender roles. This academic exploration caused a scandal at the university and laid the groundwork for her future activism.
After her university experience, Immaculée continued to advocate for women’s rights and empowerment. She has one child who is a magistrate and another whom she is raising, who works as a UN expert in child protection. Her early work with UNICEF highlighted the challenges women faced in rural food production, leading her to propose childcare facilities to support working mothers. In 1991, she moved to Goma, where she worked with another NGO. Although she was working on women’s issues, she found she was always reporting to men who made the final decisions. This experience fueled her resolve to create an organization where women could lead and advocate for their own rights, marking the genesis of her commitment to empowering women across the region. She founded PAIF (Programme d’Appui aux Initiatives Féminines) in 1993, the first organization of its kind created by a woman in the DRC. Under her leadership, PAIF established a vital platform for women’s voices and led to the creation of CAFED (Collectif des Associations Féminines pour le Développement), empowering women to confront long-standing issues and advocate for their rights.

Now in her later years, Immaculée has shifted her focus toward empowering young people, recognizing them as the future. She aims to build a generation of young women with strong values and a transformed mindset, capable of taking responsibility and contributing meaningfully to society. Drawing from her own experiences of overcoming adversity and advocating for women’s rights, she dedicates her efforts to instilling confidence and leadership skills in the youth. Immaculée’s commitment to fostering the next generation reflects her belief that empowering young people is essential for creating lasting change in her community and beyond.