Assessment Meeting of the role of women members of the councils of village notables in the promotion of women’s rights and the management of social conflicts

On Saturday, October 12, 2024, the Honourable Fabrice Nkurunziza, 2^nd Deputy-Speaker of the Senate, accompanied by the Honourable Senators of the new province of Burunga, attended a meeting dedicated to the assessment of the contribution of women members of the councils of village notables in the promotion of the rights of women and girls. This meeting, organized by the Association of Repatriated Women of Burundi (AFRABU), was held in Rutovu commune, Bururi province.

In his opening speech, the Honourable Nkurunziza welcomed the initiative of AFRABU, stressing the importance of assessing the role of women in the management of social conflicts. He expressed the Senate’s satisfaction with the achievements of the Association of Repatriated Women of Burundi, including its concern about the representation of women and girls in decision-making bodies.

Honourable Nkurunziza also encouraged the village notables to familiarize themselves with Law No. 100/188 of July 28, 2023, which governs the functioning of the Council of Notables.

During the discussions, the village notables shared the challenges they face in carrying out their mission, including delays in the payment of incentive fees, the lack of infrastructure and work equipment, and the resurgence of land conflicts. The women members of the councils of village notables expressed the need for capacity building to better fulfill their role. They also asked the government to review upwards the incentive fees allocated to village notables.

Finally, the participants discussed the need to revise the law governing the Council of Notables in order to improve its functioning and promote better collaboration with the courts of residence and the administration.

This meeting made it possible to lay the foundations for better consideration of the role of women in the management of social conflicts and the promotion of the rights of women and girls in Burundi.