Latest news with #WPHF
Zawya
15 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
The Success Story of Tamura Oil – Burundi's Red Gold
Beneath the shade of oil palms, a quiet yet powerful revolution is underway. The Dukundane Cooperative, led by women (95% of its members), stands as a beacon of resilience and innovation, having transformed a once small-scale activity into a thriving semi-industrial enterprise. Founded in 2014 following women's leadership training under the Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), the cooperative initially brought together women crafting and selling brooms from palm fibers. By 2020, they had taken a transformative step - launching artisanal palm oil production. The foundation for this transformation was laid in 2018 under axe 6 of the WPHF, which supports the socio-economic recovery and political participation of women and girls in peacebuilding contexts. That year, 175 women peace actors and dialogue facilitators - locally known as Abakanguriramahoro or "women mediators"—received financial support in Karonda. These women had already been active in conflict prevention and community mediation. With a grant of USD 180,000 from the WPHF, they expanded their economic activities using a holistic approach to palm tree valorization: from palm oil extraction to soap production from palm nuts and organic fertilizer from processing residues. This marked a turning point in women's economic empowerment in the region. Yet, the initiative still faced challenges due to limited equipment and technical capacity, underscoring the need for more structured support. By 2025, with new backing from the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) and UN Women, the group officially became the Dukundane Cooperative. With a total investment of 603 million Burundian francs, a modern semi-industrial processing plant was established with the help of the implementing partner FVS "Amie des Enfants." The plant features: a Sterilizer, Sorting table, Destemmer, Kneader, Oil press, Decanters, Steam cooking pots, Water tank and Steam boiler. Today, the cooperative processes 10,000 kg of palm bunches daily, yielding approximately 2,500 to 3,000 liters of oil under the Tamura Oil brand. 'We thank all our partners who made it possible to establish this semi-industrial unit capable of producing refined oil that can compete in the market,' — Frida Ndagijimana, President of the 185-member cooperative, including 175 women. A Tool for Peace and Empowerment Beyond oil production, the cooperative now manages over two hectares of oil palm plantations. The facility includes a sorting shed, storage shed, staff toilets and changing rooms, and an office building. With support from national technical bodies such as the National Center for Food Technology (CNTA), Burundi Bureau of Standards (BBN), Palm Oil Office (OHP), and implementing partner CREOP-JEUNES, Dukundane has become a national model for women's economic empowerment and local development. But the story doesn't end with economic gains. This initiative is a concrete manifestation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which emphasizes the critical role of women in peacebuilding. In Karonda, that vision is now firmly rooted—and bearing fruit. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women - Africa.
Zawya
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Two years of relentless conflict in Sudan have triggered the world's worst humanitarian crisis for 6 million displaced women and girls
Sudanese women and girls are bearing the brunt of a crisis that is entering its third year on April 15. Facing acute food insecurity, alarming rates of gender-based violence, and limited access to healthcare, education, and livelihood opportunities, they comprise most of the 12 million displaced people inside and outside the country. In less than two years, the number of people at risk of gender-based violence has tripled to 12.1 million. Cases of conflict-related sexual violence remain hugely under-reported, but evidence points to its systematic use as a weapon of war. As food shortages reach crisis levels, with famine already detected in five areas and 24.6 million people facing acute food insecurity, women are even more impacted than men because of social norms around food distribution and their more limited financial resources and social support. With 80 per cent of hospitals in conflict-affected areas not functioning, maternal deaths have spiked, and women's access to sexual and reproductive health care is hampered. 80 per cent of displaced women lack access to clean water due to affordability, safety concerns, and distance. Despite these challenges, women have stepped up as key responders and peace champions,and are demanding 50 per cent of representation at negotiation tables, guided by the Kampala Feminist Declaration, a vital blueprint set by 49 women-led groups. 'Women in Sudan are enduring the gravest forms of violence—particularly sexual violence—while being systematically excluded from peace processes,' said Anna Mutavati, UN Women Regional Director for East and Southern Africa. 'This exclusion persists despite compelling evidence of their transformative role in shaping Sudan's political landscape. Their strength is extraordinary, but they cannot and should not be left to navigate this crisis alone. We urge all stakeholders—governments, donors, the international community—to act decisively: end the conflict, amplify women's voices in peacebuilding, and deliver justice. Sudanese women deserve not merely survival, but the dignity to rebuild and thrive.' Over the past two years, UN Women has partnered with more than 60 women-led organizations to reach over 15,000 women in some of Sudan's most affected areas—providing household essentials, critical services and skills training. Through programmessupported by the Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), displaced women have accessed safe shelter, mental health care, and legal aid, while also gaining access to key spaces to have their voices heard in local and international arenas. Yet the needs are vast, and more funding is crucial to expand support. UN Women urgently calls for peace restoration and an immediate end to all forms of gender-based violence and accountability for perpetrators. Local women's organizations must receive sufficient resources to protect and empower their communities, and women's voices must be front and center in every peace negotiation. By working together and placing women at the heart of recovery, Sudan can begin to heal and move toward a more just and stable future. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women - Africa.
