Every year, women return to Rutana from exile in Tanzania with nothing: no land, no income, and no say in the decisions that shape their own communities. Confined to domestic roles by deep-rooted patriarchal norms, they face gender-based violence and forced early marriage, and are shut out of local governance and economic life.

In Burundi, 62% of the population lives on less than 1.88 € a day.

The project

With our project, we will strengthen women's active and sustainable contribution to community development in Rutana. The project's expected results are:

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Strengthening women's inclusion in community development
Community facilitators and local leaders are trained and mobilised to build inclusive, participatory governance, so that women are genuinely involved in the decisions that shape their own communities.

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Supporting women's entrepreneurial initiatives
Women are coached into small businesses and green income-generating activities, while savings and credit groups receive training and grants to build lasting financial independence.

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Strengthening social cohesion and preventing gender-based violence
Peace clubs are set up in schools, and dialogue workshops bring couples and community leaders together to promote positive masculinity and peaceful conflict resolution.

Beneficiaries

Training for 600 community members on inclusion and participatory governance

Awareness-raising for 270 women and vulnerable people (widows, divorcees, single mothers, unemployed youth, women with disabilities) on the protection of their rights

Savings, credit and financial literacy training, and grants, for 360 women organised in groups

Training for 180 local authorities and community leaders on women's inclusion

Setting up of 9 peace clubs in schools

Capacity-building for 20 Dushirehamwe staff and committee members

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Local partner

Dushirehamwe (DH) Bujumbura, Burundi