Suzanne Monkasa is a prominent Belgian figure in defending the rights of the African diaspora, women, and minorities. With a degree in Roman philology and having taught in Congo, she transitioned from teaching to advocating for human rights and minority equality after moving to Belgium in 1982. Her commitment to these issues has marked her career, with significant contributions to recognizing the achievements of the diaspora, with particular attention to women from the Congolese diaspora in Belgium.

Upon arriving in Belgium, Suzanne Monkasa began her professional career within the NGO Cooperation for Education and Culture (CEC), a crucial episode in her career. Indeed, within this CEC team, she played a key role in the preparatory work for the exhibition "Zaire 1885-1985. A Hundred Years of Belgian Perspectives." This project held great personal significance for her, as it gave her a clear insight into the mechanisms justifying the oppression of the Black diaspora.

In the early 1990s, she founded the Belgian branch of the Council of African Communities in Europe, Belgium section - Raad van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen in Europa (CCAEB-RVDAGEB), an organization aimed at promoting and defending the rights of the members of African communities. She held the position of general secretary there and was later elected general secretary of the European Union Migrants’ Forum (EU), thanks to her diverse experience, notably within CCAEB-RVDAGEB.

Regarding the promotion and defense of rights, to align with the EU's requirements for women’s rights, Suzanne Monkasa played a key role in the establishment of the Network of Immigrant and Foreign Origin Women (REFI-E asbl). This association co-founded, along with others, the European Network of Migrant Women (ENOMW), supported by the European Women's Lobby.

Moreover, in her capacity as president of the Flemish wing of CCAEB, Suzanne Monkasa chaired the group formed by leaders of ethnic minority associations in Flanders, which contributed to the creation of the Minderhedenforum in 1999. This is the coordination platform for migrant and minority organizations in Flanders, and the official defender of their rights. Her involvement in these organizations strengthened her voice in political and social debates at the Flemish, Belgian, and European levels against discrimination and racism toward the African diaspora, for equal rights, and in opposition to practices linked to Belgium’s colonial past.

Furthermore, Suzanne Monkasa played a leading role as president of the Platform of Congolese Women in Belgium. In 2016, she was awarded the title of "Woman of Peace" for her contribution to UN Resolution 1325 on women, peace, and security. As president of Africalia, she also played a key role in supporting and promoting African cultural productions.

Recognized as an expert, Suzanne Monkasa is a member of the Parliamentary Network on Diaspora Policies. She is also the editor of the book “Les femmes de la diaspora congolaise de Belgique s'expriment”, published in 2017, which brings together 125 testimonies of women from the diaspora involved in impactful projects. This collective work was awarded within the framework of the Parliamentary Network on Diaspora Policies of the Council of Europe (CoE).

Suzanne Monkasa is also the editor of the book ‘Les femmes de la diaspora congolaise de Belgique s'expriment’, published in 2017, which collects 125 testimonies of women from the diaspora involved in impactful projects.