Imelde Kubwimana: A Trailblazer for Women’s Development in Burundi

Imelde Kubwimana, a pioneering campaigner for women’s development, founded the Haranirvátni society in 1987, which later became a cooperative in 2003. At the age of 81, she continues to lead the cooperative, actively engaged in corn farming despite numerous challenges.

Early Life and Education

Born in 1943 on Gasebayi hill in the Mabayi valley, Cibitoke province, Imelde Kubwimana grew up in the Mugina commune, where her father was a catechist. She attended primary school until the 6th grade. After her father’s death, she was employed by the priests to teach adult literacy, earning a salary equivalent to her father’s. She later gave birth to three children and lost her husband in 1972.

A Continuous Learning Journey

Imelde Kubwimana has benefited from various entrepreneurial training programs. In 1991, she attended a workshop on soap making and flour production in Burkina Faso, and later traveled to Benin to learn about groundnut oil production. These training programs were organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with the French government.

Modernity Changes Nothing in Kubwimana

Despite her exposure to modernity, Imelde Kubwimana remains deeply rooted in her traditional values. She enjoys eating cassava paste with beans and drinking lemonade. She is also an avid fan of traditional dances and has attended numerous wedding parties to dance.

Unity is Strength

Imelde Kubwimana emphasizes the importance of unity and cooperation among women. She believes that women’s cooperatives provide a platform for women to thrive, make decisions, and participate in income-generating activities such as agriculture and agri-food processing. By working together, women can strengthen their economic independence, meet family needs, and satisfy personal desires.

Advice to Sisters

Imelde Kubwimana advises women to join cooperatives or associations to develop their economic independence. She encourages women to engage in income-generating activities, such as agriculture, and to exchange ideas and information about management, agricultural practices, and finance.