The Republic of Congo, also called Congo-Brazzaville, has finally found its place in the family of African women, after having previously been almost invisible in the fora which decide on women's future.

The Congo has become Chair of the Sixth African Regional Conference on Women. This mark of confidence is without doubt an honour for this central African country, which is trying to overcome a political crisis which has claimed thousands of human lives.

Ms Jeanne Dabenzet, the Congolese Minister for Public Administration and Women's Promotion is naturally touched by this confidence. It was with a « heart full of emotion » that she assumed the Chair from Ms Aminata Mbengue, the Senegalese who Chaired the Fifth African Regional Conference on Women.

Aged 56, this mother of six children was involved early in the struggle for women's liberation, through the Revolutionary Union of Women of the Congo (URFC). She also worked for the International Democratic Federation of Women (IDFW), which she represented at UNESCO in Paris, France.

As has been the case with most countries in conflict, the civil war which took place in the Congo from June to October 1997 sapped efforts to implementation the different platforms of action relating to women. Women were the victims of violence and sexual abuse. Thousands of women were displaced, going from here to there without any significant support.

Socio-economic difficulties, characterized by heavy debt, weak production, food dependence and a deteriorating educational system, are other obstacles which negate the development of activities for women's promotion.

But the recognition of the Congo by the 6th ARCW is merited, for the Congolese authorities, its non-governmental organizations and other civil society sectors have not spared any effort in working to achieve equal opportunity for women and men, despite the numerous constraints experienced.

After the civil war, the Congo elaborated a plan of action concerning the promotion of women for the period 1999-2000. The Congo-Brazaville also has a national policy on the promotion of women which seeks to reduce the constraints that prevent women's integration into the process of development.