RUTANA, September 2 (ABP) – Lack of self-confidence, the absence of adequate training, and opposition from spouses are among the main obstacles hindering women’s political participation in Burundi.
This was stated by Mrs. Violette Hakizimana, one of the recently elected members of the Rutana communal council, during an interview with ABP on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at the headquarters of Rutana commune.
According to her, these challenges fall into three main categories: self-censorship, where some women consider themselves incapable or believe they won’t be taken seriously, leading them to underestimate themselves; lack of access to specific training on political participation and governance, as many women have never attended awareness sessions or mentoring programs; and marital control, where some husbands forbid their wives from entering politics or holding leadership positions, going as far as denying them freedom or humiliating them publicly if they try.
Mrs. Hakizimana also pointed out that some women who have previously held decision-making positions may choose not to return, either because they did not find the expected benefits, or because they entered politics without fully understanding the responsibilities involved.
She therefore urges all women to become more involved in decision-making spheres, emphasizing that this contributes to the development not only of their families, but also of the country. She added that such involvement allows women to broaden their perspectives, share ideas with others, and better plan for the future. She argues that women’s presence in decision-making bodies promotes a progressive and inclusive vision of national development.
Mrs. Hakizimana thus calls on the State and partner organizations to increase training sessions and seminars aimed at hesitant women, also including testimonies from women already engaged in politics.
She also encourages women to educate and actively prepare themselves to take on such roles, stating that no woman should continue to be seen as confined to the home. Women now have both the skills and legitimacy to hold positions of responsibility, on an equal footing with men. She concludes with an appeal to men to support their wives in accessing positions of power, stressing that such support fosters openness and progress.