Jealousy, lack of self-confidence, galloping demographics, lack of mortgages to access financing are some of the challenges that women face to develop and be able to contribute to the emergence of Burundi
Women constitute the pillar of development.
Women have a whole range of challenges that prevent them from contributing to the emergence of the country. This was mentioned by women elected to various positions in different constituencies of the country and executives of certain institutions on September 14, 2023 during the debate organized by the Center for Development Enterprises Great Lakes (CDE Great Lakes) in collaboration with the Agency of Development of Burundi (ADB) and the Federal Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Burundi (CFCIB).
« Women show a certain jealousy towards those who benefit from high positions. They don’t have confidence in themselves. They want to fill these positions instead of creating their own sources of income», deplores Nadine Gacuti, former governor of Bujumbura province.
The demographics, which remain galloping, are another challenge. If they are responsible for caring for many children, they do not have enough time to work.
Worse still, demographics continually contribute to the scarcity of land at a time when the majority of women make a living from agriculture.
Trinitas Girukwishaka, Managing Director of the Commercial Bank of Burundi (BANCOBU) “Women often present good bankable projects. However, this BANCOBU executive is worried about the fact that they are struggling to find financing, because they do not have mortgages.
Access to financing is also a headache. According to Trinitas Girukwishaka, Managing Director of the Commercial Bank of Burundi (BANCOBU), women often present good bankable projects.
Why do women struggle to find financing?
However, this BANCOBU executive is worried about the fact that they are struggling to find financing, because they do not have mortgages. Their husbands refuse to sign the document called joint guarantee for them. In this case, the bank does not grant them financing.
Therefore, most women resort to Lambert banks where the interest rate is very high. It can even be set at 50%. This means that activities initiated by women are doomed to failure.
To reverse the trend, Girukwishaka asks men to support their wives with a view to contributing to the development of their households in particular and the country in general.
Hon Sabine Ntakarutimana, first vice-president of the National Assembly, Hon Jocky Nkurunziza and Hon Anita Ndayizeye affirmed that they are committed to being actively involved in the objective of promoting the empowerment and development of women.
These elected representatives of the people point out that they will advocate for all programs and laws put in place to take gender into account. In addition, they will help them to initiate income-generating activities. On this occasion, they ask all women to support each other and be united in their daily activities to win the bet.
Aimable Nkurunziza, general director of CDE Great Lakes concluded that women constitute the pillar of development. This is why he invites them to work assiduously to accomplish this mission.
