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On November 28, 2011, citizens took to the polls in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the second series of presidential and legislative elections since independence in 1960.  With a population of approximately 62 million spread across an area the size of Western Europe, DRC faced immense logistical and political challenges ahead of the elections.  In addition, throughout the entire election process the role of marginalized groups, specifically women and youth, was limited. 

Download Summary (PDF)
On November 28, 2011, citizens took to the polls in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the second series of presidential and legislative elections since independence in 1960.  With a population of approximately 62 million spread across an area the size of Western Europe, DRC faced immense logistical and political challenges ahead of the elections.  In addition, throughout the entire election process the role of marginalized groups, specifically women and youth, was limited. 

Recognizing that women and youth are instrumental in fostering a meaningful democracy, IRI engages these groups to help them attain and strengthen the skills needed to assume positions of political leadership.  IRI’s work is funded by the National Endowment for Democracy.

Women & Youth Political Leadership
Women and youth play a critical role in politics and traditional Congolese social structures.  To help them participate in the civic life of their communities, IRI offers trainings on developing skills needed to take on greater leadership roles with in civil society, government and political parties.  Specifically, IRI works with these groups on creating women and youth wings within political parties.  Through leadership academies, IRI equips a select group of women and youth political party members with the skills, knowledge and confidence to engage in real positions of political leadership in DRC.

Elections Support
Four months prior to the 2011 national elections, IRI deployed a pre-election assessment mission to DRC to observe and assess the country’s pre-electoral political environment and to engage with representatives from government, political parties, international nongovernmental organizations and civil society.  Led by Mrs. Cindy McCain and Ambassador Rich Williamson, IRI’s delegation issued a final report, which outlined the status of election preparations, while also putting forth a series of recommendations for stakeholders to be implemented prior to the elections.