DRC: 79% of women candidates in local elections faced violence, according to UN Women

Nearly 79% of women candidates in local elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo faced violence during the 2025 campaign, according to a UN Women report. DRC has the highest rate among four countries studied, ahead of Colombia (77%), Ivory Coast (57%), and Kyrgyzstan (40%). The violence includes psychological, sexual, economic, and physical forms aimed at discouraging women from political participation. The report also highlights that violence, high campaign costs, and discriminatory social norms are major barriers to women's political involvement.