GITEGA March 14th (ABP) – Gender-based violence (GBV) is a reality in Burundi. In Burundian culture, they do not talk about those issues out loud. It is time to change our mentality taking into account the situation in the world on those issues and the relations that Burundi has with other countries in relation to human rights. The fight against gender-based violence is a moral and social imperative that requires the commitment of every Burundian.
Mrs. Nancy-Ninette Mutoni, aged 37, executive secretary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, engaged in various movements focused on promoting the leadership of young people and women, especially in terms of their political participation, indicates that women Leaders play a crucial role in the fight against gender-based violence, using their awareness, influence, voice and position to promote significant change.
According to her, a woman leader must raise awareness in society about the problems of GBV by providing information on its harmful consequences and by destroying the stereotypes that contribute to perpetuating that violence. A woman leader must also promote gender equality before the law by creating an environment where GBV is less likely to occur. That is manifested by the elimination of structural inequalities favouring violent behaviour in the community and in the workplace.
Mrs. Mutoni added that a woman leader must encourage the participation of women in all areas of society and advocate for the establishment of effective laws and policies aimed at preventing, punishing and eradicating GBV. That includes strengthening sanctions, improving reporting mechanisms and protecting the rights of victims. It should also encourage the establishment of victim support services, such as shelters, helplines and rehabilitation programs and can work to remove barriers that prevent victims from seeking help.
Mrs. Mutoni also noted that a woman leader must contribute to changing cultural and social norms that tolerate GBV, encourage the questioning of sexist attitudes and the promotion of respectful relationships between genders and can work in collaboration with others. other leaders, non-governmental organizations, government institutions and civil society to develop integrated and holistic strategies to combat GBV.
“The fight against gender-based violence is a moral and social imperative that requires the commitment of each of us. As members of that community, we have a collective responsibility to create an environment where everyone, regardless of gender, can live in safety, with respect and dignity,” she revealed.
It calls on all actors to work in synergy regardless of beliefs, ethnicity, politics and social roles, whether they are members of civil society, community leaders, political leaders, educators or parents, in short, men and women of all ages.
As for Professor Paul Ngarambe, teaching at the University of Burundi in the African Studies department, he salutes the existence of women leaders who stand up and speak out to raise awareness about that scourge and that there are regular days awareness campaign to attract the attention of society.
He also affirmed that women leaders have an important role in the fight against that violence but that alongside them, there could also be men leaders to talk about those issues which are not typical for girls. and woman, even though it is an issue that concerns the entire society, the country and ultimately the entire world. “It’s true that women leaders are moving forward, but everyone needs to be alongside them to contribute so that that kind of thing no longer exists,” explained Ngarambe.
To deal with that, Professor Ngarambe suggests three things. The person responsible for that violence must be presented with a fait accompli to realize that the act committed is wrong. It is also necessary that young boys or girls, from their childhood, be informed about their development and how others see them slowly, so that that cannot happen to them. It is also necessary that in schools and in families, those types of questions are addressed so that the different people in the family are informed about that scourge.
He finally indicated that as soon as someone is a victim of that type of thing, it is absolutely necessary to speak about it immediately, to those who are capable of acting immediately, particularly law enforcement officers, family and the authorities. loved ones, to attract attention but also to not let a person who has committed that type of mistake leaves freely instead of there being arrangements between the victim’s family and the rapist’s family as we hear about in the rural world.