Burundi commits to reinforcing gains and advancing gender equality under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (updated)

Free schooling for basic education has helped Burundi improve equality between boys and girls. A gender-based violence law has been adopted, and women’s participation in national and local decision-making has seen remarkable progress. Socioeconomic problems persist, however, exacerbated by limited funding.

Burundi commits to the Beijing Platform for Action to reinforce gains that have been made in the lives of women and girls. It affirms support for gender equality and women’s empowerment in development programmes under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and pledges continued efforts to help ensure women and young girls do not experience discrimination.

Speaking at the Global Leaders’ Meeting on 27 September 2015, Vice-President Joseph Butore said: “[We] support the reinforcement of equality … and [efforts] to help women and young girls to make sure they are empowered and not discriminated against.”

Developments since Burundi’s commitment

Burundi, which holds the 11th position on the African Development Bank report on gender equality in Africa, has adopted a new law to target specifically sexual violence against women and has prioritized the elaboration of a national policy and action plan on gender equality.

The Government’s efforts to reduce the disparity between girls and boys on education has resulted in girls representing more than 50 per cent of the total of students in 2013, in comparison with 46 per cent in 2004. The country has also developed diverse strategies to increase gender-sensitive programming and increased the number of women who are part of its security and defense forces.

Additionally, a fund to provide micro-credit for women to start businesses and increase their incomes has also been created, together with a platform where women can share best practices on earning and saving money, allowing them to improve their skills and, subsequently, their economic status.

Burundian women are also being encouraged to take a bigger role in political decision making positions. [ Full update (in French) ]