Bukavu, 8 March 2011 – International Women's Day was celebrated amidst confusion in Bukavu, the provincial capital of South Kivu. The event was marked by a big march attended by several women displaying banners and symbols of their political parties. As they march past, they chanted party slogans.

On their part female staff members of the UN Mission Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), along with those from UN Agencies, local and international NGOs, as well as various women's associations, also marched together, carrying messages on women's issues.

On the sidelines of the celebration, teachers of the South Kivu Women's Synergy (SYFESKY) reflected on the theme "Teachers have a right to live; Children have a right to education". They used the occasion to appeal to the Government to improve the working and living conditions of teachers who, they say, are in the vanguard of the country's development.

Biliaminou Alao/ MONUSCO