admin | November 1, 2026
For women trading across the border between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, earning a living can mean navigating more than the movement of goods. Economic pressures, discrimination, unfair competition, and uncertainty about trade rules can make their daily work difficult.
In Goma, Radio Elle FM is putting these women’s experiences at the centre of the conversation. Its five-minute program, Elle Dossier (Her Files), has earned the station recognition as a runner-up in the Liz Hughes Awards 2026.
Located on the northern shore of Lake Kivu, across the border from the Rwandan city of Gisenyi, Goma is a hub for cross-border trade. It is also a city affected by insecurity and recurring violence. Against this backdrop, Elle Dossier explores how fair trade and respect for women’s rights can support livelihoods, strengthen relationships, and contribute to peace.
The program may be brief, but it gives women space to describe their challenges, propose solutions, and demonstrate their contribution to the local economy. It highlights their ability to organize, speak up, and engage decision-makers on issues affecting their businesses.
Elle Dossier is produced and hosted by Rose Mathe, with support from presenter and station manager Gisèle Kahimbani and technician Claudia Musafiri. Grâce Wasingya serves as head of programs.
The team aims to reach women, men, and young people working in farming, trade, and entrepreneurship. It also speaks to authorities, market managers, community organizations, and others who can help create a fairer business environment.
Access to reliable information is a central concern. Women traders report that the laws and agreements governing their businesses are often poorly understood or inconsistently applied.
Elle Dossier seeks to clarify these rules while examining the power imbalances that can lead to unequal treatment. It also emphasizes the shared responsibility of women and men to respect regulations and contribute to a fair trading environment.
Alongside these discussions, the program shares solutions proposed by women themselves, including improving farm-to-market roads and increasing local production to reduce reliance on goods from outside the area. By bringing these ideas into public discussion, the team aims to strengthen women’s confidence to defend their interests and engage with authorities.
Reporting on cross-border trade amid insecurity and sometimes strained relations between Congolese and Rwandan communities requires care. Discussions about unfair competition, rule-breaking, and abuse of power can easily become accusatory or deepen existing tensions.
To address this, the producers prioritized firsthand accounts and included diverse perspectives, including the voice of a Rwandan trader. Their approach focused on understanding shared challenges and exploring solutions while challenging stereotypes.
For the team, cross-border trade offers an opportunity to build cooperation and social cohesion between communities. The team sees an encouraging sign in women’s willingness to approach the station and give interviews about issues affecting their lives and communities. According to the producers, women are speaking more freely, this is a marked change from the past.
Building on this engagement, Radio Elle FM plans to deepen its coverage of trade regulations, women’s rights, and economic empowerment. It also wants to create more opportunities for dialogue among traders, authorities, business leaders, civil society organizations, and community representatives.
Rose Mathe explains: “The goal is to transform the media outlet into a space for dialogue and advocacy where women can not only share their struggles but also participate in finding solutions.”
Through Elle Dossier, Radio Elle FM is showing how a short program can open space for women’s voices and for conversations about fairer trade, stronger livelihoods, and peace.