The status of women is a central subject in the deployment of Morija programs in Burkina Faso. It has improved significantly over the past thirty years in the country, thanks in particular to the new family code (1989) and the creation of a ministry for women’s affairs in 1997. The first woman elected to parliament joined the Assembly in 1977, clearly opening up a new field of involvement. Thanks to these examples, Burkinabè women have been encouraged to no longer remain on the margins of political life and to be associated with national design, decision-making and executive bodies – even if they are still often exploited by parties. policies for mobilizing the electorate during elections.
The advances are however positive and go in the right direction. They are part of an awareness of all civil society and have transformed the lives of women.
For example, their life expectancy at birth has increased from 50.5 years in the 1980s to 61.9 years in 2018 according to World Bank data. These changes have reduced discrimination giving women better access to drinking water, health care, education for girls, employment, all of which promote greater empowerment, and allowing them to resist certain practices. , such as early marriage.
Morija implements awareness-raising actions and works for better access to education for girls, who are still too often penalized in this area. Some projects are specifically geared towards the empowerment of women, such as Saving for Change (EPC) which aims to train and strengthen women’s incomes, and Infant and Young Child Feeding (ANJE) which promotes protection of mother and child against malnutrition.
The beneficiaries of Morija’s nutrition programs are, for the most part, women and children.
I take this opportunity to express our gratitude to all the donors who give life and hope to people in vulnerable situations. The importance of this support is immense, and its effects incalculable. Thank you from the heart !
CATHY SAWADOGO,
ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL DIRECTOR
WEST AFRICA COORDINATION
