Video: From Peace to Politics: Burundian Women Take Charge

This video depicts how women crossed political parties and ethnic groups to become a unified force.   Dramatically under-represented in the political forum in their country, as a unified entity women paved the way for their political participation and voices to be heard.  Their solidarity enabled their concerns regarding previously ignored issues, such as female inheritance and war crimes against women, to have a much needed forum.  Facilitated by UNIFEM as well as other UN and regional agencies, fifty Burundian women gathered and met with Nelson Mandela in July of 2000 to put forward their recommendations to be included in the Burundi Peace Negotiations.  Over half of these recommendations were implemented in the Burundi Peace Accord.  Recent elections in have shown a dramatic increase in women elected to Parliament with thirty-six seats out of one-hundred-eighteen being held by women.

Year of Release: 2006

Publisher/s: UNIFEM

More information: Ms. Nanette Braun, 1 212 906-6829, nanette.braun[at]unifem.org