Burkina Faso Conflict Response Fund

The Situation in Burkina Faso 

Since 2015, Burkina Faso has been grappling with a severe security crisis that has escalated into a profound humanitarian emergency. Armed violence has escalated across all regions, placing an increasing burden on civilians. 

As of 2024, over 2 million people—approximately 10% of the population—have been internally displaced due to the ongoing violence.  

The number of people in need of humanitarian assistance has surged, with food insecurity, lack of shelter, and limited access to healthcare and education becoming increasingly prevalent. In May 2024 alone, more than 900 people were reportedly killed, marking the deadliest month since April 2023.  

Women and girls are particularly vulnerable in this crisis, facing heightened risks of violence, exploitation, and economic hardship. The conflict has also led to the closure of numerous schools, leaving countless children without access to education. 

How We Are Helping 

Through our Conflict Response Fund, Women for Women International is partnering with local organizations in different regions of Burkina Faso to provide displaced women with the tools and resources they need to rebuild their lives: Association D’Appui et d’Eveil Pugsada (ADEP), Association Munyu des Femmes (Munyu), and Association pour la Promotion Féminine de Gaoua (APFG). 

Supporting Women in Ouagadougou – Partnership with ADEP 

In the Zongo district of Ouagadougou, we have supported ADEP in delivering: 

• Food security assistance, providing essential food kits with rice, salt, and oil for six months. 

• Dignity and hygiene kits, to improve women’s well-being. 

• Income-generating training, including soap-making and sewing, with start-up kits to help women launch their businesses. 

• Financial literacy and business management training, alongside cash grants to help women establish small businesses. 

• GBV prevention training, equipping women with knowledge and tools to protect themselves and their communities. 

Building on this work, we are deepening our partnership with ADEP by co-designing a six-month Social and Economic Empowerment program, licensed by WfWI. This initiative will equip women with new skills, expand their livelihood opportunities, and provide them with small business grants upon completion of the training. 

Building Sustainable Livelihoods in the South-West – Partnership with APFG 

In the communes of Gaoua and Kampti, our partnership with APFG has led to: 

• The establishment of community gardens to improve food security and agricultural productivity. 

• Training in improved farming techniques, organic composting, and local product transformation. 

• Providing women’s groups with agricultural equipment, raw materials, and cash grants to launch collective businesses. 

• Creating and strengthening listening and counseling centers to provide psychological support for GBV survivors. 

• Hosting community awareness events on peacebuilding, women’s inheritance rights, and GBV prevention. 

Our continued collaboration with APFG includes a six-month Social and Economic Empowerment program, empowering women to achieve economic independence and contribute to their communities. 

Strengthening Gender Equality in Banfora – Partnership with Munyu 

In Banfora commune, our collaboration with Munyu has focused on: 

• Establishing community dialogue groups to promote women’s rights and gender equality. 

• Coaching and financially supporting community members to implement action plans for positive masculinity and improved gender relations. 

• Organizing awareness sessions on GBV prevention, marital conflicts, and gender inequalities. 

• Strengthening GBV referral networks and improving support services for survivors. 

• Training women in life skills, self-confidence, and leadership to enable them to become agents of change in their communities. 

• Providing training and start-up support for income-generating activities (IGAs) in agri-food processing. 

• Conducting radio and TV awareness campaigns on women’s rights and GBV prevention. 

We are also continuing our partnership with Munyu through a new six-month Social and Economic Empowerment program, designed in collaboration with WfWI. Participants will gain economic skills, receive mentorship, and access business grants to start or expand their ventures. 

*Header image by RobertoVi from Pixabay