A bank and a bonus for women

Burundi celebrated, on March 09, 2020 at the Ingoma stadium in Gitega, in the center of the country, International Women's Day. In Burundi, this celebration coincided with the 25th anniversary of the United Nations resolution 1325 of Beijing in China which aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as all the speakers underlined. The day, rich in color, was enhanced by the presence of the country's authorities at the highest summit, including the President of the Republic of Burundi. Also present were Burundian Women's Organizations and Associations as well as International Organizations such as the UNDP, the World Bank and UN WOMEN who had also supported the organization of the day. In his words of welcome, Mr. Venant Manirambona the Governor of the province of Gitega, the political capital of Burundi, welcomed the President of the Republic and the high authorities and all the population in his province of Gitega. The Representative of the President of the National Women's Forum (FNF) Mrs. Janvière Ndirahisha, in her speech which followed that of the Governor of Gitega urged women to invest in social, political development activities and especially economic empowerment . She then demanded not only more than 30% of women, without having to resort to co-optation, in decision-making bodies at all levels, but also demanded that at least 1 of the top 3 top positions in the country (i.e. the Presidency, the Presidency of Parliament and/or the Senate) be reserved for a woman. The coordinator of the United Nations Organizations - UN in Burundi (including: the World Bank, the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and others, Mr. Garry Conille meanwhile, greeted on behalf of the UN the not already crossed at the level of the implementation of the policies, the implementation of these last for the equality and the inclusion of quotgeneration equalityquot. He underlined, how important is, the contribution brought by the Burundian woman in development. He ended his remarks by wishing peace and prosperity to all Burundian women. The Minister Martin Nivyabandi in charge of the Ministry of Human Rights, Social Affairs and Gender, meanwhile, after reviewing the history of this International Day and the crucial role that women will have in the preparations for the next May 2020 elections in Burundi, insisted on the place of associations Nawe Nuze (NN) which has more than 1 million groups in the empowerment one of the rural woman. He stressed that this celebration is also an opportunity to assess and measure the step already taken and the challenges that remain to be met. The Minister then invited the President of the Republic to come and award the prizes to the women and men who have distinguished themselves and given themselves for the socio-economic development of women. The President of the Republic Pierre Nkurunziza, who took the floor in last position, first proceeded, in the company of his minister in charge of gender issues, to the presentation of certificates of merit for personalities and associations selected for their dynamism and their contribution to the development of women. We can cite for example the first taxiwoman, the first truck and bus driver in Burundi, the students who distinguished themselves, the nurses, the supervisor of the Nawe Nuze Associations of Rumonge. Among the award-winning associations, we can cite, for example, the Center Giriteka association, APEFB and AFRABU, which is very committed to the promotion of cross-border trade and the empowerment of women in collaboration with other partners and women's associations. In his speech, the President also recalled the Beijing declaration and its 12 resolutions which he listed, starting with women's economic empowerment and development. To this end, he announced the creation of a Youth Bank, a Women's Bank, an Agricultural Bank and several cooperatives with reduced interest rates to support the development and empowerment of wife. In conclusion, he thanked the Women's Forum, UN WOMEN and gave advice to women and girls so that they keep in mind, in the defense of their rights, that the Burundian family and respect for its culture remains the bedrock of any integral socio-economic development. The ceremonies ended with folk dances, royal drums from Burundi and other entertainment groups.