Luanda: The 8th Ordinary Congress of the Angolan Woman's Organization (OMA), the women's wing of the ruling MPLA, kicks off Saturday in Luanda with the participation of approximately 2,500 delegates from across the nation and abroad. The two-day event will be inaugurated by Joo Louren§o, the President of the ruling MPLA.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the congress, held under the motto "Angolan Women: United to Transform Challenges into Achievements," will focus on electing the new secretary-general and setting the strategic guidelines for the 2026-2031 term. Delegates will assess the report of the outgoing Action Program, approve the new Statutes, and outline the Action Program and the Thesis for the next five years. The conclave will also select the individual and collegiate governing bodies.
The MPLA Political Bureau has endorsed Carlota Dias as the sole candidate for the Secretary-General position, succeeding Joana Tomas, who was elected in 2021. The event serves as a platform to reflect on the OMA's history, which spans 64 years, emphasizing its contribution to the country's socio-economic development and the political mobilization of women.
Significantly, the congress marks the culmination of the Balance and Mandate Renewal Assemblies across the 21 provinces of the country. A total of 56,245 grassroots section assemblies took place, with over 96 percent participation from militants, adhering to the organization's General Bases and Electoral Regulations. The process saw a notable influx of young women, highlighting increased engagement in female political participation and enhancing the organization's mobilizing capacity.
With this congress, the OMA reiterates its dedication to reinforcing its social and political role, aiming at the electoral challenges of 2027 and strengthening its collaboration with communities.
Founded on January 10, 1962, during the national liberation struggle in what was then Congo Leopoldville, the OMA is one of Africa's largest women's organizations. It has been pivotal in the political framing and mobilization of Angolan women. The OMA focuses on women's emancipation and participation in political, social, and economic affairs, prioritizing issues like domestic violence, child rape, literacy, and civic awareness.
Historically, the OMA has included prominent figures from the liberation struggle, such as Deolinda Rodrigues and Teresa Afonso, whose contributions have been instrumental in affirming the role of Angolan women in the country. Nationally, the OMA unites women from various backgrounds, operating on democratic principles with collective leadership and secret ballot elections.
