UNDER-REPRESENTATION

News from Congo is all too often one-sided, focused on war and destruction. Media stories of war and displacement, while accurate, drown out the stories of hope and potential from the youthful population.

Congolese women, under-represented in Congolese society, have an in-depth understanding of their country’s needs. Walk The Congo aspires to amplify these voices of leadershipBy exposing the real stories and faces of Congo as they trek across its diverse terrain, the Walk the Congo team will:

• Shift the narrative around the Central African nation away from a myopic focus on death and despair, toward strength and hope;

• Inspire Congolese and global citizens alike to join Congo’s burgeoning women’s and peace movements; and

• Ignite a Congolese women’s revolution working to usher in a new era of peace and prosperity.

DEFINING THE FUTURE

The Walk The Congo expedition will traverse the length of the Congo River, walking right through the center of the complex nation and sharing stories from the women and girls they met along the way. The team is committed to shifting narratives of war, disease and humanitarian crisis, and to raising awareness of the incredible potential that exists in the heart of Africa.

During their twelve-month journey, the team will meet Congolese women, girls, and peace and other civil society activists who will share their stories of hardship and explain how they are overcoming the challenges they face. Meanwhile their teammate Aline—a Congolese women’s activist with an incredible story of her own—will inspire them and those they meet along the way by becoming the first Congolese woman to walk the Congo River.

By working with UN Women and Congolese partners, Walk The Congo will capture the imagination of a wider audience and change global perceptions of Congo. Through TV, traditional and social media, the expedition will strive to raise awareness of the hopes and dreams of Congolese women and girls, as well as their vital role in their country’s future.