KAYANZA, June 27th (ABP) – On Thursday June 20, in the headquarters of Kayanza province (northern Burundi) , the Centre for Development and Enterprises, through its Why Women project, organized regional consultation sessions on women’s economic empowerment for provincial and communal administrative authorities, heads of women’s associations and forums, religious leaders and others,.
During the workshop, the Center’s manager, Aimable Manirakiza, pointed out that out of Burundi’s population of over 12 million, over 70% are women. But those women face a number of obstacles that prevent them from developing, he stressed.
In addition, he said, only about 8 per cent of women have land titles, compared with 73 per cent of men, which he sees as a major challenge for women who want to develop.
That document, he insisted, is of great importance in terms of access to credit, but without it, women become limited by the lack of a mortgage, whereas the land certificate can be useful.
Mr. Manirakiza felt that a change of attitude was necessary, especially for men, because if women are relegated to the background, the development of the home in particular and the country in general is affected.
For her part, the provincial president of the women’s forum in Kayanza, Mme Justine Komezadusabe, pointed out that men and women should enjoy the same rights over family assets because, she felt, they are one when they are married.