MUKAZA, March 9, 2026 (ABP) – Under the theme “The role of women in promoting rights and justice for all,” chosen this year for the celebration of International Women’s Day in Burundi, women are considered pillars in promoting rights and justice within their communities, especially within their households.
Indeed, progress begins at the family level before extending to the entire nation, stated the administrator of Mukaza commune, Aline Bigirimana. She spoke during an interview with ABP on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
According to Ms. Bigirimana, this year’s theme, focused on women’s rights, emphasizes the promotion of women’s rights and inclusive justice. She explained that households lacking peace and stability cannot contribute to the country’s development. That is why women must be aware of their responsibilities and fully play their role in strengthening family well-being, which forms the foundation of national development. She also highlighted that women have an important role to play in promoting respect for laws and rights.
“Today, women are able to speak out when they notice injustices or violations of their rights,” she added, expressing satisfaction that more and more women are becoming educated and actively participating in decision-making bodies, from the local level to high government positions. She described this development as remarkable progress.
To promote rights and justice for all women, Ms. Bigirimana encouraged them to engage more in decision-making positions, considering this involvement an important means of strengthening their rights and contributions to development.
Regarding children’s education, she explained that women play a key role. According to her, a child who grows up without guidance or parental support risks lacking direction. She emphasized that educating youth is not only about biological children but all young people in the community. In this perspective, she called on all women to actively participate in guiding and educating youth, without discrimination, to help build a responsible and harmonious society. On the issue of domestic violence against women, Administrator Bigirimana advised victims to approach local authorities to receive necessary support and guidance.
Taking the opportunity, Ms. Bigirimana wished women a happy celebration of the month dedicated to them, while urging them to recognize the importance of their role in the country’s development starting from their homes: giving special attention to education and guidance of youth.
For her part, the deputy chairperson of the Association of Persons with Disabilities in Sub-Saharan Africa and national coordinator of the Burundian Association for the Promotion of Women with Disabilities (ABPDFH-Uruhumuri), Adélaïde Nyigina, stated that women and girls with disabilities are heavily affected by violence and discrimination in society, at work, within families, and in other social settings. She deplored that many people still wrongly believe that these women are incapable of performing certain activities.
Referring to the theme chosen by Burundi this year, Ms. Nyigina indicated that women with disabilities face numerous injustices, particularly in the judicial field.
She cited the example of women who are hard of hearing or visually impaired appearing in courts. According to her, they often face difficulties in making themselves understood due to the lack of interpreters or appropriate support mechanisms. In these circumstances, they risk being unable to defend their rights properly and may suffer injustices because of their disabilities. She therefore urged human rights defenders and those assisting litigants to pay particular attention to women with disabilities to better support their access to justice.
She also emphasized that, at the community level, women and girls with disabilities are often victims of discrimination, unlike men with disabilities who are sometimes better accepted. She deplored that in some families, when a female child is born with a disability, she may be marginalized or rejected. In extreme cases, children with disabilities may even be victims of infanticide.
To combat these practices, Ms. Nyigina stated that promoting women’s rights must begin in childhood, ensuring that girls are treated and considered equally to boys in society.
Regarding access to employment, she noted that women with disabilities should have the same opportunities as others, as they are capable of working and contributing to development. However, she regretted that many face discrimination in hiring and are denied jobs, affecting their well-being and health.
Finally, she called for the implementation of appropriate measures to promote inclusion and development of women with disabilities in Burundi, so they are not left behind in the country’s development efforts.