Burkina Faso: Empowering internally displaced Women amidst crisis in the country
The security crisis in Burkina Faso has forced numerous individuals, especially women, to abandon their homes in search of safer areas. The plight of internally displaced women is alarming, marked by significant challenges affecting their safety, health, and dignity.
These women encounter daily hardships such as limited access to clean water, food, healthcare, and justice.
Additionally, they are vulnerable to violence and abuse.
A survey of “Doctors without Borders” (Médecins Sans Frontières) reveals that nearly 70% of internally displaced women have experienced sexual violence, and around 60% have restricted access to basic healthcare services, according to the UNHCR.
Furthermore, over 40% of households led by internally displaced women face severe food insecurity, as reported by the World Food Programme.
Despite these challenges, women like Aïssatou have sought refuge in camps and established micro-enterprises, demonstrating their resilience.
Approximately 35% of businesses in displacement areas are led by women, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
In response to this crisis, collective mobilization is underway to support these women.
Initiatives aim to enhance their productive capacities through vocational and entrepreneurial training.
These efforts, implemented in Kaya and other locations across Burkina Faso, are crucial for restoring hope to internally displaced women and strengthening their sense of community belonging.
It is imperative to intensify these endeavors and support such initiatives with unwavering determination.
Cedric KABORE
