Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso adopted its first National Action Plan (NAP) in 2012 for the period 2013-2016. The NAP was developed by the Ministry for Women’s Promotion and the Ministry of Human Rights and Civil Promotion. The NAP does not indicate civil society involvement in its development. The NAP identifies four overarching goals: protecting and rehabilitating women and girls who have been victims from violence; integrating a gender dimension in security and defence governance; preventing violence against women and girls; and raising awareness on violence against women and girls. These goals have corresponding objectives, actions, indicators, a monitoring and evaluation framework, and an estimated budget. 

Burkina Faso reported on the implementation of its NAP, as well as WPS commitments, in its national reporting for Beijing+25 and in preparation for CSW64 (2020). Specifically, the country provided the following updates (pp. 52-53):

  • The establishment in 2014 of a working group on women peace and security in West Africa and the Sahel section of Burkina Faso, coordinated by the Ministry in charge of women;
  • The establishment in 2015 of a national women’s unit of the G5 Sahel in charge of facilitating the integration and consideration of women’s specific priorities in order to contribute to the development and stability of the Sahel;
  • Advocacy with the authorities for the involvement of women in peacekeeping operations;
  • With a view to taking into account resolution 2242 of October 13, 2015 on strengthening actions in favor of the women, peace and security program, the national action plan for 2018 was reviewed.

Burkina Faso gained independence from France in 1960, after decades of colonial rule by the French empire. The country experienced four military coups (1966, 1983, 1987, and 2015) after its independence, contributing to ongoing political instability. Since 2019, the clashes between armed Islamist groups and state security forces have exacerbated insecurity for the people of Burkina Faso. Currently, over 1 million people are internally displaced, while over 2.5 million people remain in humanitarian need. Furthermore, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons is contributing to the growing insecurity of women, including through an increase in gender-based violence. 

In 2019, Burkina Faso was among the top 10 countries in the world with the biggest increase in their military expenditure, with a 22% increase in its military spending.

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