Sophie Kanza
| Sophie Lihau-Kanza | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Sophie Madeline Kanza 8 February 1940 Léopoldville, Belgian Congo |
| Died | 2 April 1999 Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Spouse(s) | Marcel Lihau |
| Children | 6 |
| Alma mater |
University of Geneva Harvard University |
Sophie Lihau-Kanza (8 February 1940 – 2 April 1999) was a Congolese politician and sociologist. She was the first woman of her country to receive a secondary education, the first to graduate from a university, and the first to hold a government office in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In her later life she held positions within the United Nations.
Sophie Madeline Kanza was born on 8 February 1940 in Léopoldville, Belgian Congo, the sixth of seven children to Masangaza and Daniel Kanza. Her brother, Thomas Kanza, would go on to become the Republic of Congo's first ambassador to the United Nations.
At the time of Congolese independence in 1960, Kanza was the only woman in the country who had been enrolled in secondary education, eventually graduating from Lycée du Sacré Cœur (Sacred Heart High School) in June 1961. In 1964, she became the first Congolese woman to graduate from a university when she received her diploma from the University of Geneva with a degree in sociology, working in the same department for the university until 1966.
Kanza studied at Harvard University from 1973–1976, earning a master's degree and a PhD in sociology.
In 1966, aged 26, Kanza was appointed by Congolese dictator Joseph Mobutu to be the Minister of Social Affairs, becoming the first woman in the country to hold government office. In that capacity she traveled to Taiwan in April 1970. She also served as Minister for Community Development and Minister for Work, Social Welfare and Habitat. She later served as a representative to the United Nations.
From 1973 until 1977, Kanza was a member of the Board of Trustees of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). She was Deputy Assistant Director-General at UNESCO from 1981-1985 and Head of Mission to the Director-General of UNESCO (1985-1988).
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