Burundi adopted its most recent National Action Plan (NAP) in 2022 for the period 2022-2027. Based on the framework for the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000), the government of Burundi has developed and implemented two prior National Action Plans: the first, for the period 2012-2016 and the second for the period 2017-2021, and has adopted a third NAP for the period 2022-2027. The evaluation of the second NAP revealed that problems in Burundi persist regarding the women, peace and security agenda, particularly the full inclusion of women in peace-consolidation mechanisms and decision-making positions, as well as their economic independence and autonomy. The third NAP’s process of development was deeply intertwined with the second’s NAP evaluation. The Ministry of National Solidarity, Social Affairs, Human Rights and Gender was in charge of collecting and validating the data from 25 institutions and organizations that work on WPS, including Ministries and State Institutions, NGOs and financial and technical partners. Furthermore, four regional consultation workshops were held which identified the successes, obstacles encountered, challenges and recommendations that were the basis for the 2022-2027 Action Plan.
Burundi’s NAP is structured around several axes:
- Promotion of UNSCR 1325
- Equality and equity in men and women’s participation in decision-making positions and in peace-consolidation mechanisms
- Reinforce the legal framework for the prevention of conflicts and violence against women and girls
- Protection of rights and care for victims of sexual and gender-based violence
- Involvement of women and taking into account the needs of women and girls for the development and implementation of economic recovery programs
- Coordination and mobilization of financing for the implementation of NAP 2022-2027.
Burundi gained independence from Belgium in 1962, after an extensive period of colonial rule by the Belgian empire. The most recent armed conflict in Burundi’s history is the civil war, which started in 1993 following a military coup. The conflict resulted in the death and displacement of thousands of people. The Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement was signed in 2000, where women’s civil society members acted as formal observers. In 2015, Burundi witnessed a failed coup attempt, which led to ongoing social and political instability in the country, including human rights violations perpetrated by security forces. On the ground, women have played a key role in working towards preventing further violence and conflict through their role as mediators. In 2017, the International Criminal Court (ICC) opened an investigation regarding crimes against humanity in Burundi. Burundi then became the first country to leave the ICC.