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Women, Peace and Security Initiatives: Burundi
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In-Country

Rape in Burundi: Demand Justice Now!
July 2008
Rape is widespread throughout Burundi, though many cases remain unprosecuted. A 13 year old girl has been deprived of justice after being forced to make an out of court settlement with her alleged rapist. Write to the Public Prosecutor in Burundi to demand that the alleged rape is investigated and the suspect brought to justice! For more information and to take action, please click here

Musaga and Busoro 2
September 30, 1999
A group of 50 women, made up of a Tutsi majority, from the organization Twishakira amahoro ("We want to have peace") in Musaga, a district in Bujumbura, joined and helped Hutu women members of the same organization living in Busoro, another area situated at the outskirts of the town in the Kanyosha region populated by a Hutu majority. Tutsi women from Musaga gathered blankets, beans, corn, rice and salt for the Hutu Women from Busoro, whom have suffered an attack of the rebel group at the Kanyosha market the previous month, as a sign of solidarity and reconciliation. For more information visit Femmes Afrique Solidarite.

Musaga and Busoro 1
1999
With the support of Center for Women, 250 Tutsi and Hutu women from the districts of Musaga and Busoro gathered in the Musaga administrator’s building for an exchange of humanitarian aid as a gesture of solidarity and reconciliation between them. To read a report of the meeting Click Here. Unfortunately, we don’t have more information regarding this initiative between Tutsi and Hutu women from Musaga and Busoro. However, as soon as we receive more information we will updated.

Musaga and Busoro
1997
Tutsi women from Musaga and Hutu women for Busoro met and reestablished communication by facilitating the passage through their respective districts of persons belonging to a different ethnic group, which had been forbidden. They also allowed the reopening of the markets during a complete crisis situation. Unfortunately, we don’t have more information regarding this initiative between Tutsi and Hutu women from Musaga and Busoro. However, as soon as we receive more information we will updated.

Arusha Declaration
October 22, 1998
A delegation of Burundian women from different groups, backgrounds and political parties presented at the Arusha Peace Negotiations a declaration in which they express their commitment to support the dialogue among burundians, to strengthen the National Peace Committes, to work towards a change of attitudes and behavior in the Brundian society, and to promote greater awareness among the various leaders in Burundian society to remove the obstacles to the peace process. For the full text of the Declaration Click Here. For more information visit Femmes Afrique Solidarite.

Music for Peace
April 1998
Africare has organized a competition for aspiring Burundian musicians to promote peace and reconciliation. Several concerts were organized in the District of Bujumbura, and the rest of the country, to enable people to choose their favorite bands. Out of a total of 30 bands, 20 were selected to take part in the competition. Africare hired local musicians and equipment and cash prizes were awarded to the top five songs. The winner was a song by Lwenzo Bedin, entitled "Arrêter la Guerre" “Stop the War”. Among the other winning songs was "Tabaranya" by Bangy Cédric and "Nsabe Ikigongwe" by Ntahonkiriye Lome. For more information visit Africare.

International

Women under attack
March 2004
Women and children have been systematically attacked during Burundi's 10-year conflict Sexual violence has been widely used during Burundi's 10-year civil war to terrorize and humiliate the population. While no statistics exist to specify the number of assaults per year – many instances are believed to go unreported due in part to the stigma attached to sexual violence – sources agree that rape has increased alarmingly during the past year. TAKE ACTION: Please write to the President of Burundi, urging him to make the prevention of sexual assault, the provision of care and treatment for victims and the bringing to justice of perpetrators a national priority. Click Here to join Amnesty International's Campaign.

Urgent need to protect women and girls from rape
February 24, 2004
The Government of Burundi and the international community should take urgent action to stop widespread sexual violence, including rape, against women in Burundi, Amnesty International urged today in a new report entitled Burundi: Rape - the hidden rights abuse. The growing incidence of rape has been exacerbated by widespread discrimination against women, and its consequences aggravated by poverty, population displacement and a failing health care system. The perpetrators are largely members of the Burundian armed forces and armed political groups, as well as armed criminal gangs who not only rob but also rape. Click Here for more information, or read the report.