The government of Burundi launched their first National Action Plan in December 2011. The government bodies that were involved in the NAP were the Ministries of Gender Issues; Defence; Public Security; Agriculture; Foreign Relations; Planning; Justice; National Solidarity and the Parliament. A Steering Committee was created to assist in the development as well. Local women’s organizations were key in pushing the government to begin developing a NAP and used Resolution 1325 to push for gender mainstreaming in local and national elections.
The Burundi NAP was launched during a critical time of political upheaval where democractic parties were being restricted from running in elections. Following a 16 year civil war ending in 2009, many believed that Burundi could transition to a democratic and stable state, however, elections in 2010 were met with violence, detentions and killings of opposition leaders, limited media coverage and indications of renewed conflict.
It consists of 30 pages, most of which are taken up by tables detailing the targets, set along eight axis. The NAP presents a very detailed timeline and an expected cost table and specifies eight priority areas for action. In addition, it details the inclusion of both international organizations and civil society organizations in the drafting process as well as the implementation process. However, inclusion of these aforementioned non-governmental and multilateral actors is not specified in this document.
Burundi published their second NAP for the period of 2017-2021. Burundi’s second NAP is currently available in French.
Burundi reported on the implementation of Women, Peace and Security in its national reporting for Beijing+25 and in preparation for CSW64, in the sections on participation and peaceful and inclusive societies.