Friends Women’s Association program coordinator Parfaite Ntahuba giving a presentation in Toronto
This work draws heavily on the wisdom and skills of our local partner in Burundi Friends Women’s Association. Our particular focus is on helping women to discover their skills and talents, to know their rights and what resources are available to them, and to be freed to reach their fullest potential.
Confronting gender-based violence
CFSC supports Friends Women's Association (FWA), based in the capital of Burundi, Bujumbura.
In addition to running a medical clinic to provide free and affordable quality healthcare, FWA focuses on addressing one of the roots of violence—discrimination and violence directed at women and girls.
FWA delivers training and raises awareness about gender-based violence, with a focus on getting church pastors and elected and community leaders—most of whom are men—to promote change. Once they come to understand the scale of the problem and that a change is needed, these influential figures begin speaking out about gender-based violence, little by little encouraging a whole grassroots culture shift.
FWA also works with women survivors. These women and girls participate in solidarity groups and FWA’s skilled staff help them understand their rights and what legal, psychological, and other supports are available to them. This work is so important because accurate and thorough information is often lacking, and both women and men falsely think that gender-based violence is normal or “just part of life.” Watch a short video of those on the ground working to address gender-based violence in Burundi.