The Observatory for Research on Entrepreneurship “Pour Elles” is a new project that we are implementing in Kinshasa. From February 16 to 23, two leaders of this initiative are at UCLouvain to meet with various experts in the field and strengthen the project's development.

As an extension of the “Together for Women” project, supported in particular through the 1+1 campaign, “The Research Observatory on Sustainable Female Entrepreneurship for Women” has as its main objective to contribute to the economic empowerment of women in the DRC and to the reduction of inequalities between women and men by supporting the initiatives of women entrepreneurs.

Specifically, the Observatory aims to monitor, document, and analyze stereotypes, gender-based violence, and social norms, as well as all factors that limit women's access to inclusive and sustainable entrepreneurship in the DRC. Its role also consists of raising awareness among women entrepreneurs on all these issues.

From Monday until February 23, Elie N'sana, entrepreneurship expert for Louvain Coopération, and Allegra Kabamba, postdoctoral researcher and scientific coordinator of the Observatory, will be in Louvain-la-Neuve. They will meet with representatives from ICE Louvain, INEO, and OpenHub, among others, to strengthen the project's academic and institutional partnerships and increase its impact for the benefit of Congolese women.