Girls’ economic empowerment reduces sexual assaults

Mutoni Wase Ortine, a 3-year-old child, who is living in Muyinga center, province of Muyinga, Northeast of Burundi can now have access to basic needs. She was born of an early pregnancy that her mom, Ines Nishemezwe, conceived while she was still in her 3rd year of her secondary school studies. Thanks to a World vision support that trained her in soap making, she is now self-reliant and able to provide to her daughter from quality food to beautiful clothes.

“Life became tougher since I got pregnant, I had to move from one place to another to seek for accommodation and food support”, says Ines Nihemezwe, Ortine’s Mom.

After conceiving, Ines could neither expect support from her family that was living far, nor from a man who impregnated her; he disappeared as from the time he was informed about the pregnancy, Ines explains. Worse more, she dropped out of school against her will.

In Burundi, most young girls who get early pregnancies are left to rely on themselves; a situation that in some occasions lead to abortion, or throwing babies at birth. According to UNFPA, around 3000 girls in Burundi dropout of school yearly due to unwanted pregnancies.

In Muyinga center, Ines and other 44 young girls came together and made 2 associations. They approached World Vision for support. They were trained in soap making and Ines; who was before haunted by rent arrears, and food of poor quality, is now celebrating the good results.

“We did not know that girls would make it, but as we started, the business thrived and we are happy”, says Ines.

After selling, the money is saved and members of the association lend one another in order to respond to urgent needs. “Since then, life became bearable, you can see how my young child is healthier”, adds Ines.

Ines is committed to her association’s activities and pays tribute to it. The entity has also become a hub of exchanging on their daily life and supporting each other. “Our wish is to eradicate dependency which is likely to trigger other pregnancies”, she says.

Thanks to a law that was recently enforced, Ines has resumed school. Something that could not have happened in the past whereby a school girl who became pregnant was sent home forever.

World Vision staff in Muyinga advocate for a continued acceptance in schools of such girls once they opt to go back to school. Making them more resilient is another commitment and Ines appreciates it. “We have been trained in farming, and how to keep records in our saving group”, she joyfully shares.

Pushing with her studies is Ines’ goal and her call to school girls is not to indulge themselves in behaviors that would endanger their lives.