UPR Sexual Rights Database

National Report:
Para 52) Since 2014, the Congo has increased the participation of women in political and public life and strengthened their representation in decision-making bodies.
Para 53) The Congolese Constitution of 25 October 2015 guarantees the principle of parity and affirms that women and men have equal rights. Women’s advancement and representation in all political, elective and administrative posts are guaranteed by law. These principles have been incorporated into the Electoral Act.
Para 54) The new article 61 of the Electoral Act stipulates that “women must constitute at least 30 per cent of candidates put forward for election to the National Assembly and the Senate”.
Para 55) The representation of women in decision-making bodies currently stands at 11.5 per cent in the National Assembly, 22.9 per cent in the Senate, 22.85 per cent in the Government, 12 per cent in decision-making positions in the ministries, 18.82 per cent in departmental councils, 23.5 per cent in municipal councils and 20 per cent in the Supreme Court.
Para 56) According to the most recent civil service personnel audit, women make up 49.5 per cent of public sector workers.
Para 136) Human rights organizations expect, and indeed demand, the immediate adoption of legislation on the prohibition of torture, the abolition of the death penalty and the effective attainment of gender parity. They consider that, even within the Government itself, women are not only underrepresented but also still lack access to certain positions and privileges, such as: • Posts in the core ministries of the State • The position of cabinet minister.
Para 137) No woman has ever been promoted to the rank of general in the armed forces nor held the top position in any of the constitutional institutions. Human rights organizations consider this to be a violation of the CEDAW.

National Report:
Para 75) Studies have shown that more than 9 in 10 births (96 per cent) are entered in the civil registry. There is no difference in registration rates for the births of boys and girls. However, there is a large gap between urban areas (99 per cent) and rural areas (91 per cent). The Government conducts regular mobile civil registration campaigns to reduce this gap.

UN Compilation:
Para 16) CRC was concerned about … discrimination against children living in isolated, rural areas in the enjoyment of their rights, particularly regarding access … birth registration;
Para 68) … CRC … was also concerned that indigenous children continued to experience exclusion, violence and discriminatory practices in accessing their rights, including their rights to birth registration, …

National Report:
Para 35) Since the first UPR, the Congo has been a party to the following international legal instruments: OP-CRC-SC, New York, 25 May 2000 (accession, 25 October 2009).