JIFA: Minister Gisèle Ndaya for the reduction of civil registration fees for marriages

Kinshasa, June 1^st, 2022 (CPA).- The Minister in charge of Gender, Family and Children, Gisèle Ndaya Luseba, pleaded for the reduction of civil registration fees for marriages in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) , during the closing, Monday at the Rotana hotel in Kinshasa, of activities marking the International Day of the Family (JIFA). Minister Ndaya circumscribed this activity within the framework of the “family fortnight” that she launched on May 15^th to promote the unity and stability of families in accordance with the theme chosen for this edition: “Families and urbanization « . “As you know, the theme we were given was also composed of urbanization. And within the framework of the fortnight, we made raids on the outskirts of the city-province of Kinshasa to visit some families in order to see in what conditions they live”, she announced, deploring the conditions found on the place, in relation to sanitation, poverty and also the ravines that are ravaging the city-province of Kinshasa. Speaking of marriage, she noted a bitter observation especially in the city of Kinshasa, where certain practices no longer fit with the law of the Republic relating thereto. “When we talk about marriage, we first see the dowry, which is the main object that families ask for. But today we even see that civil registrars are asking for more money and more goods to celebrate the marriage. These are things that the Ministry of Gender deplores and thinks that in the future days we must raise the awareness of the competent authorities as well as the families so that we can have marriage in the standards, « said Gisèle Ndaya, before reassure that a plea will be made, to this effect, with the government with a view to reducing the costs of registering and solemnizing marriages. The Deputy Minister of the Interior, Jean-Claude Molipe, meanwhile, discouraged irregular marriages and common-law unions. With regard to the registration of marriages in the civil status, he considers that it is possibly possible that this be free to encourage the future bride and groom to guarantee and protect the marital union. For the vice-president of the Organization of Latter-day Saints Churches, Tommy Muhemedy, the church and the government should, together, promote the best conditions for access to marriage. This would encourage the holding of official marriages of young people, to the detriment of practices that dishonor families and especially women. Previously, the Minister of Gender, Family and Children, Gisèle Ndaya Luseba, had asked the audience to observe a minute of silence in memory of the Congolese compatriots who fell on the battlefield in the east of the country.