BUJUMBURA March 4th (ABP) – As part of the celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8 each year, the German Multicultural Center (CMA) and the Incubation and Acceleration Center of the University of Burundi (CINAUB), in partnership with the German Sparkassenstiftung Eastern Africa (DSIK) organized from February 26 to 27, 2024, a workshop for women and girls’ members of the university community under the theme. That activity was organized under the theme “investing in women for peace and reconciliation”.
According to Mrs. Nadine Mukunzi, professor of land law at the University of Burundi, holding that workshop is an opportunity for women leaders to exchange experiences. Mrs. Mukunzi indicated that the debates that will result from the discussions will make it possible to find lasting solutions; a good opportunity for the participants in that workshop to learn lessons, given that they are women leaders of tomorrow.
She insisted on the financial inclusion of women for lasting peace in society. Otherwise, she said, if the woman is not financially independent, conflicts can arise within society. She encouraged them to take up income-generating activities, reminding them to have a goal, be determined, have a plan and never doubt yourself.
Concerning succession and liberality, Ms. Mukunzi indicated that the legal framework is lacking in Burundi compared to other countries.
According to Mr. Aimé Igiraneza, advisor within the DSIK, various women’s microfinances, notably WISE and TWITEZIMBERE, favor women and people who engage in small business, by granting them credits to be able to engage in income-generating activities.
He encouraged participants to approach microfinance to start income-generating activities.
Mr. Igiraneza showed the challenges related to access to existing financial products and services. He spoke in particular about the operating costs of financial products and services which weigh heavily on microfinance and the level of development of financial products and services which is low in financial institutions.
He also mentioned the types of mortgages which are very limited, the Burundian culture based on gender, the poverty of households where income essentially covers social needs and the lack of information and training on the financial services offered by formal financial institutions. Mr. Igiraneza also noted the challenges linked to women’s access to financial and new products and services, the level of education of women, cultural barriers and lack of guarantees and so on.
According to him, possible solutions exist to achieve that. He proposed the development of the entrepreneurial spirit among women, the awareness of financial institutions to develop financial service products oriented towards women without forgetting the awareness particularly of women, through their associations, on the measures taken by the government in matters of contributions and the granting of credits.
During the discussions, participants recommended that entrepreneurship be a reality for women, emphasizing that women must learn to save little by little to have the start-up capital for their activities instead of using debt. They must also have the courage to try and fight the fear of failing.