Burkina Faso is a West African country whose constitution states that men and women are equal. However, despite this claim of equal rights, strict gender roles dictate the separation between men and women and contribute to the lower status of women. Gender-based violence (GBV) is also a prominent issue in Burkina Faso.

Voix des Femmes (VDF), which translates to Voices of Women, was established in September 2000 to empower children’s and women’s rights in Burkina Faso. Recognized by Burkinabe authorities as a nongovernmental organization (NGO), VDF has implemented numerous projects in Burkina Faso.

The Goals and Strategy of Voices of Women

VDF conducts projects geared toward:

• Improving the economic situation of women
• Educating young girls
• Reducing GBV
• Offering communities medical care and legal services
• Enhancing children’s resilience

Alongside these contributions, VDF primarily mobilizes women to advocate for their rights. Regarding VDF’s strategy, it leverages its diverse human capital, comprising professionals such as lawyers, chemists and health, social work and communication experts. Moreover, in choosing beneficiaries to power these projects, VDF is open to all persons with no discrimination of gender, race or status.

VDF’s Projects in Burkina Faso

One significant VDF project is the “Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Women and Girls, Economic Empowerment and the Fight Against Violence in the Central Region.” The project aims to train people from the community. Those trained will conduct awareness sessions for women and girls and empower their rights. Women involved are trained in “micro-project management” and “income-generating activities.” This training promotes women’s financial liberty and socioeconomic development.

Similarly, men and adolescents are educated on “positive masculinity” to support women’s rights. Positive masculinity is rejecting the negative attributes of traditional masculinity, such as aggression. The focus on this behavior contributes to the reduction of GBV. This project also aims to have 60,000 women as direct beneficiaries, with 200 women for their psychological, legal, medical and social care and 120 women for income-generating activities.

Women, here, are the actors of change and social mobilization. They identify and refer cases of GBV and suggest beneficiaries for income-generating activities. As indirect beneficiaries, 20,000 people, including men, adolescents and 300 community leaders, participate in advocacy sessions to spread awareness.

Furthermore, the AIDS 2024 project involves educational talks on sexual violence and child marriage with internally displaced persons in various communities. On April 30 and May 2, 2024, a meeting was held to discuss and implement the project, known as the “Integrated Emergency Protection Response and Management of GBV in the Boucle du Mouhoun Region.” Moreover, the Sini-Gnèsigui project provides “listening clubs” for young survivors of child marriage and school-related violence. Listening clubs are like counseling groups that empower the youth to combat these abuses.

Projects and Workshops

On May 15, 2024, a workshop was held with Moundasso’s Center for Economic Growth listening club members. The discussion highlighted ways to identify signs of violence and to make an effective report and referral. The project’s objectives strive to enhance the resilience of girls and adolescents.

Finally, the project “Women’s Rights and Health in Burkina Faso: Preventing and Reducing Vulnerabilities in the Context of Crisis and Post-Crisis COVID-19” aimed to enhance medical, legal, judicial and psychological care for women survivors of GBV during the COVID-19 restrictions. VDF partnered with the Association of Women Lawyers of Burkina Faso, the Pananetugri Initiative for Women’s Welfare and Equipop.

The project sought to empower women and girls to address the socioeconomic impacts of the pandemic. This was achieved by fostering young female leaders who could drive positive change within their communities. In two years, the project reached more than 170,000 direct beneficiaries in three regions of Burkina Faso and concluded in March 2023.

Final Remark

The efforts made through the projects of Voices of Women have helped women understand and fully exercise their civil liberties. In addition to empowering women’s rights, VDF provided educational and financial support and contributed to reducing GBV across the country.

For the organization’s significant impact, the president of VDF, Mariam Lamizana, was awarded by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for “the promotion of the abandonment of female genital mutilation.” This prize recognizes VDF’s substantial achievements in eliminating these harmful traditional practices.

– Caroline Albright

Caroline is based in Milton, MA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

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