Investing in adolescent girls for an equal World: UNICEF commits to advancing girls' rights for a brighter future

Bujumbura, March 8, 2024 – On this International Women's Day, celebrated under the theme "Investing in Women: Accelerating the Pace," UNICEF Burundi emphasizes the importance of empowering women and girls, particularly adolescents.

Investing in adolescent girls' health, education, rights, and well-being generates a positive ripple effect across society. Empowered adolescent girls are more likely to become healthy, educated, and productive women, contributing to economic growth and community development.

Burundi has made significant progress in adhering to international and regional normative commitments on gender equality and women's conditions. Laws against sexual and gender-based violence were enacted between 2014 and 2016, along with the National Development Policy and the National Gender Policy. The existence of a multi-sectoral national committee on Resolution 1325 and a second National Action Plan on this resolution aligns with international and national legal frameworks. Politically, laws such as the Code of Persons and Family have been adopted to promote gender equality and child protection.

However, challenges remain. Adolescent girls aged 15-19 continue to face threats to their rights, including disproportionate discrimination and inequalities, higher risks of sexual violence, and limited access to health and nutrition support. The impact of gender-based sexual violence persists in schools; 1019 unintended pregnancies were recorded during the 2021-2022 school year, and 11% of girls aged 15-19 were neither in school, employed, nor in training (2020).

Investing in adolescent girls by ensuring their health and quality education will make them critical players in poverty alleviation, economic productivity, climate innovation, and improved health and education outcomes.

"By launching our 2024-2027 country program, we reaffirm our commitment to empowering young girls in Burundi, focusing particularly on their health, including mental, sexual, and reproductive health, as well as their education and empowerment. Every young girl we support today becomes a cornerstone of our society tomorrow. Together, let's work for a world where every adolescent girl can realize her full potential, actively contributing to the sustainable development of our community. The future is promising, with every young girl at the heart of our action," says France Bégin, UNICEF Representative in Burundi.

On this special day, UNICEF Burundi reaffirms its commitment to advancing adolescent girls' rights, promoting their voices and ideas through support for girl-led groups and organizations, and combating the discrimination and inequalities they face.