NGOZI, Dec 26 (ABP) – Women’s participation in decision-making bodies remains low in Burundi, with only 28.8% of those elected being women in the last elections, according to data presented at a workshop organized on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, by the Collective of Women’s Associations and NGOs of Burundi (CAFOB), in collaboration with the NGO Care International.
This workshop, held in the headquarters of Butanyerera, aimed to stimulate women’s engagement, promote a change in mindset, and break down the socio-cultural barriers that hinder their participation in political life.
According to Melchiade Bizimana, responsible for monitoring and evaluation at the NGO Care International, the meeting also provided a forum for exchange between women holding positions of responsibility at the national level and those elected in local communities. The aim was to identify obstacles to women’s leadership, to list the challenges women face in decision-making roles, and to propose strategies to strengthen their representation, particularly through the development of a women’s agenda.
Speaking at the event, CAFOB Executive Secretary Frédérique Ntezahorirwa emphasized that this low participation stems from a lack of self-confidence among some women, a lack of apparent interest in joining political parties or associations, discriminatory cultural practices, a lack of resources to implement development projects, and the influence of some men who refuse to recognize women’s rights.
She called on women to actively participate in the country’s governance, asserting that they have the same capabilities as men to assume public office.
For his part, Cyriaque Nikoyagize, legal and political advisor to the governor of Butanyerera province stated that women are a pillar of development, both at the household and national levels. He encouraged them to have confidence in themselves and to run for office, emphasizing that they have the same rights as men. He also invited them to access the Women’s Investment and Development Bank (BIDF) to obtain loans for their economic self-development projects.