An Overview on Social Housing for Women Heads of Household in Congo Brazzaville

The results of the 1974, 1984 and 2007 general population censuses show a remarkable growth of
women and girls compared to men and boys. Gender inequalities are still widespread in the Republic
of Congo, placing women and girls in a less favourable position than men and boys. Women and girls
have fewer rights, less information, less access to all kinds of resources and experience more genderbased
violence than their male counterparts. Among the population are many single women, divorced
and widowed, who are heads of their own households. The chronic urban housing crisis in Congo and
the lack of a functional principle for the development of collective social housing only surprise Congo’s
decision-makers and development partners. However, how can vulnerable female-headed
households be housed in order to permanently eradicate gender inequality and repair the damage
caused to women? This article reviews the status of women and the current urban housing situation
from four perspectives, including: household type and size, housing content and surface area per
member. Celibacy, divorce and widowhood are at the origin of the creation of households, whose
heads are inevitably women. The education of children and the care of the elderly (senior citizens) are
generally provided by women, who have adequate housing. Based on a literature review of population
survey data, the study proposes three main types of social housing for female-headed households,
with areas ranging from 25 m2 to 90 m2. Thus each household member benefits from between 8.50
m2 and 12 m2. The European Union delegation to the Republic of Congo, the creation by the
Government of the Congolese Housing Bank (BCH) and the Sino Congolese Bank for Africa (BSCA)
are a major asset in the fight against poverty and the improvement of people’s living conditions.