Outcome BDI_D_3.1

By 2027, more Burundians, especially children, young people, women and the most vulnerable, have equitable and quality access to basic social services adapted to the life cycle

More women, girls, men and boys survivors of violence against women and girls have continuously been benefiting from progress made by Burundi towards equitable access to quality basic social services to vulnerable populations. With a focus on strengthening institutional capacities and ensuring equitable access to equitable and quality services, Burundi is developing a context conducive to supporting the rights of the most marginalized people and advancing ending violence against women and girls at all levels. Institutional Strengthening for VAWG Prevention and Response Institutional partners enhanced their capacity to analyze, plan, monitor, evaluate, and report on VAWG prevention and response. With significant support from UN Women, the gender ministry strengthened operational and technical capacities through enhancing of its operational capabilities by recruiting expert consultants who are institutionalizing systematic monitoring and data-driven decision-making, facilitating the effective implementation of gender-based violence (GBV) interventions. A critical outcome of this capacity enhancement was the development and launch of the National Strategic Plan to End VAWG. This process in developing the plan enables the Ministry of gender to effectively engage with key stakeholders, including: The EU Delegation Office in Burundi, embassies, and diplomatic missions. UN agencies and sectoral ministries, such as Health, Justice, security and Home Affairs. Women’s led civil society organizations (CSOs). Comprehensive services for Survivors Enhanced legal, medical, and psychosocial services is transforming the lives of women and men survivors of VAWG. 765 women (94%) and 46 men (6 %) survivors of violence against women and girls (VAWG) received comprehensive support, including access to justice, mental health and psychosocial support, and socio-economic opportunities. Among them, 543 survivors including 111 children accessed to integrated justice, medical and psychological support through strategic partnerships with civil society organizations such the SERUKA Centre, the Women Lawyers Association, Burundi Bar Association, etc. which benefit from enhanced capacity through: The availability of qualified employees such as doctors, lawyers, psychologists, legal experts, etc. Acquisition of advanced medical equipment, including a sterilizer and gynaecological lamp, etc. In addition, 150 survivors received legal advice and guidance, with 22 cases brought in Courts thanks to the partnership with two Bar Association and the Women Lawyers Association, which established three functional listening and counselling centers providing daily legal information to VAWG survivors in Gitega, Ngozi, and Bujumbura. In parallel of these actions, Judges, Magistrates, and Judicial Police Officers have strengthened their capacity to effectively apply national laws and ratified international conventions through hands-on training, including mock trials. This innovative approach has directly enhanced the legal expertise and procedural application of over 75 Judges, Lawyers, and Magistrates, equipping them with practical skills to ensure better justice delivery. Capacity Building and Advocacy: Enhanced capacities of institutions and civil society have led to significant advocacy and policy advancements. With the technical and financial support of UN Women, Burundi enhanced its reputation in fulfilling its obligations under global platforms such as: The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action by submitting its Sixth National Report and engaging in global platforms such as CSW 68, The CSW 68 event by sending a delegation of eight representatives from the gender sector, women’s organizations, and public institutions, fostering global dialogue on gender equality and multi-stakeholder collaboration The International Women’s Day through which The Government of Burundi mobilized 3,000 participants for the event and the President of Republic pledged to advance women’s inheritance rights and other gender equality priorities. The 16 Days of Activism campaign to end VAWG in which Over 1,000 participants, including high-ranking officials. The mass awareness raising campaigns on available survivor-centered services and service providers reaching 3,500 people (2,451 women and 1,099 men) including populations affected by natural disasters in displacement sites.

By 2027, more Burundians, especially children, young people, women and the most vulnerable, have equitable and quality access to basic social services adapted to the life cycle

Through institutional strengthening, service delivery improvements, and targeted advocacy, Burundi has significantly advanced equitable and quality access to basic social services for women, children, young people, and other vulnerable groups. The integrated services for survivors of VAWG, strengthened justice system capacities, and expanded awareness campaigns directly contribute to providing appropriate, accessible, and high-quality social services to the most marginalized populations. These services are tailored to different life-cycle needs, ensuring age and gender-responsive support for girls, adolescents, adult women, men, and persons with disabilities, including differentiated medical, psychosocial, legal, and socio-economic assistance. Thanks to the partneships with Association des Femmes Juristes du Burundi” in consortium with the Barreaux du Burundi, “l’INITIATIVE Seruka pour les victimes des VBG”, “Le Collectif des Associations et ONGs Féminines du Burundi” in consortium with the “Forum National des Femmes” and “United For Children Burundi bw'Uno Munsi, survivors across 7 provinces (Gitega, Rumonge, Ngozi, Kayanza, Muyinga, Bujumbura, and Cibitoke) now have timely, integrated access to justice, medical, mental health, gynaeco-obstetric, psychosocial, and socio-economic support services. To illustrate the changes achieved, a total of 8,988 women and men (around 93% female & 7% male) gained access to timely and comprehensive support, including medical care, psychosocial support, legal guidance, and socio-economic assistance, beginning to transform their lives. Among them were 21 survivors living with physical disabilities and many residing in flood-affected sites or Congolese refugee settlements in Rutana. Also, the establishment of three Law Clinics across five provinces brought legal services closer to survivors. Women and men who had long feared pursuing justice were now able to consult lawyers, receive guidance, and access integrated services linking health, psychosocial care, and livelihood opportunities. Three holistic care centers were also equipped with essential medical supplies, becoming safe spaces where survivors could receive life-saving assistance. At the same time, courts were supported to organize special sessions for GBV cases, ensuring that survivors could pursue justice without long delays. At the same time, staff of partner organizations (3 doctors, 4 nurses, 8 psychologists, 4 legal officers, 11 lawyers, and other support personnel) strengthened their capacities to ensure that the services provided are of higher quality and better tailored to the needs of survivors. In parallel, advocacy efforts and awareness-raising campaigns helped inform communities about available services, encouraged survivors to come forward, and challenged harmful social norms that had long kept them silent. Indeed, more than 6,041 women and 4,071 men, including young girls and boys, have improved their knowledge on violence prevention, response mechanisms, social norms and discriminatory behaviours against women, as well as on the promotion of positive masculinity, through media campaigns, awareness caravans, and social mobilization initiatives, as well as community intergenerational dialogues, interactive theatres, and discussion groups focused on positive masculinity, implemented with the participation of 11 radio stations. From a post intervention conducted in Rumonge, 85% of the beneficiaries interviewed demonstrated increased awareness of their rights and available legal remedies These combined efforts produced tangible results, with post-intervention assessments showing that 75% of survivors reported significant improvements in their psychosocial well-being, reflecting not only the services received but also broader changes in the support environment