Burkina Faso: Redefining Economic Inclusion for Women with Disabilities

An Initiative Mobilizing Women to Bolster their Autonomy and Acknowledge their Rights

In Burkina Faso, women with disabilities often face double discrimination. This marginalization limits their access to economic opportunities and essential services. Faced with this reality, the Association for the Development of Women and Children with Disabilities of Burkina Faso (AEFEHB) is implementing an innovative project aimed at strengthening their economic autonomy and promoting their rights as citizens.

Thanks to the support of CECI’s Volunteer Cooperation Program, this project has enabled women to develop micro-business management skills, gain access to equipment for their sewing and food processing shops, and receive tools and materials to launch their income-generating activities. Simultaneously, an advocacy campaign was carried out to promote greater recognition of the ID card issued to persons with disabilities by public authorities, particularly in the health and transport sectors.

A Context Marked by the Desire to Break Down Socio-economic Barriers

Organizing themselves into associations has enabled women to strengthen their collective power and create strategic partnerships with several international organizations. However, despite these advances, many obstacles remain, limiting women's full participation in economic and social life. Insufficient appropriate financing, lack of knowledge of their rights, and persistent prejudices are still holding back the inclusion of marginalized women. It is against this backdrop that AEFEHB has decided to strengthen the capacities of its members and amplify their voice through targeted actions.

An Intervention Focused on Empowerment and Awareness-raising

The initiative focuses on several key areas:

• Capacity-building in entrepreneurship: 30 women received training in good entrepreneurial practices and skills needed to develop a viable, sustainable business.

• Access to professional equipment: Needs assessments and acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment for sewing and food processing to improve product quality and increase market competitiveness.

• Distribution of kits with tools and materials: 35 women received material support to initiate or develop their income-generating activities.

• Advocacy campaign: Two interactive radio programs were organized to raise awareness of the rights of people with disabilities, with emphasis on the disability ID card and its benefits. The programs reached listeners from Burkina Faso and Europe, demonstrating the interest and pertinence of the subject.

• Raising awareness of COVID-19: 32 women received training on sanitary measures to limit the spread of the virus within their community.

Concrete Results and Lasting Impacts

One of the project's major successes has been the change in perception and status of the participating women. By becoming economically independent, they have gained self-esteem and recognition within their families and communities. They now actively participate in family decision-making and contribute financially to their households, enabling them to break free from the cycles of economic and social dependence.

The results are encouraging:

• 42 disabled women aged 35 and over and 20 young women aged 34 and under received direct support from the project.

• Greater visibility and recognition of the rights of people with disabilities was obtained through awareness-raising and advocacy.

• Improved living conditions for participants, who can now meet their basic needs (food, clothing, medical care) and invest in their children's education.

• AEFEHB's organizational and entrepreneurial capacities were strengthened, enabling it to pursue its work with other women with disabilities.

This project demonstrates the importance of economic inclusion as a lever for emancipation and social change. It also illustrates how targeted actions, carried out in collaboration with local and international partners, can bring about lasting changes in the living conditions of marginalized populations.

By empowering women with disabilities, we are helping to build a more equitable and inclusive society, where everyone can fully exercise their rights and achieve their potential.