by Sarah Tanou, Burkina Faso, September 1997
THEME = WOMEN
Statistics show that women form 52% of the population and produce 70% of the nation's wealth. However, they are not able to take much part in the life of the nation.
The law supports sexual equality, Indeed, there are many international laws recognising women's political rights, laws which have been ratified by Burkina Faso. The Constitution guarantees them their political rights. Article 1 states that all citizens are equal; Article 12 states that all citizens, without distinction of gender, have the right to contribute to the way the country is run. This entitles them to vote and to be elected.
Yet, it's clear that even though women are excellent campaigners and faithful voters, they are not considered worthy to be suitable candidates or good election material.
The Executive: Following the May 1997 elections, the present government has three women ministers, holding the portfolios of Regional Integration, Social and Family Action, and Women's Advancement. Also, a woman has just been appointed (10 September) as president of the Economic and Social Council.
The Legislature: There are nine women Members of Parliament in the National Assembly, all belonging to the Centre for Democracy and Progress (CDP), the party in power. There were 80 women candidates out of a total of 852 candidates for the 111 parliamentary seats. The candidates represented 13 political parties or groupings.
Local Elections: These took place in 1995. Only three women were elected mayors for the 33 local administrative districts, and two of these, preferring to sit in the National Assembly, have just been elected Members of Parliament. 147 women were elected municipal councillors (out of a total of 1,700). On a Province level, there are two women High Commissioners out of a total of 45.
These figures speak for themselves, and we can but deplore this almost complete absence of women from Burkina Faso's political life. Especially in view of the fact that both nationally and internationally, such great importance has been attached to the presence of women in public life. But why is this so?
Illiteracy is a major problem in Burkina Faso, and this applies to women more than men, (more than 80% of women over 15 are illiterate). In spite of awareness campaigns emphasising the importance of education, the country's economic crisis obliges many families to make a choice when it comes to sending their children to school - girls are the main victims. Many people, including women, are convinced that marriage guarantees women their traditional place in society. Nothing else is of importance.
Because of their poverty-stricken situation and preoccupation with trying to make ends meet, politics are not women's number one priority. Indeed, the State, many NGOs and international organizations place more importance on improving women's economic position, rather than their political role in society.
Many women lack confidence in themselves and in things political. Expressions like: "That's all far too complicate for us", or, "We can't be bothered with such things" are pejorative expressions and show what women really think about the subject. The fear of having their names dragged through the mud (matters dealing with moral issues and the way in which many women in public life are slandered), certainly does nothing to encourage women to embark upon a political career. Then there's the awkward position women find themselves in, because people don't approve of a married woman embarking on a political career, especially in her own area or in that of her husband where she is considered to be an intruder.
The many coups d'etat with all the accompanying violence, are still not forgotten. And so, women's families consider the political arena to be dangerous.
Political candidates are presumed to have substantial financial means. Women don't have these means and so are "less attractive" to the male-orientated electorate and political party chiefs.
Other obstacles are closely linked with women's personal experiences: Their lack of "togetherness" (especially on a political level; their fear of failure as they think that they have broken social taboos; the feeling they are being watched all the time. Also, married women take their husband's names, and so, when they become political candidates, it's hard to recognize them under their maiden names, on the list of candidates.
Women find their raison d'être lies in the social sphere which they find less dangerous than politics. They consider politics to be a real "jungle" where everything is allowed. They feel they have more to offer the community by staying in a home environment.
On a local level, women are confronted with many of the problems mentioned above. On a national level, it's the woman herself who is primarily responsible for limiting feminine advancement. Women are pitted against women. They run each other down by telling tales, by nursing petty jealousies and denigrating what other women are doing. They come out with such statements as: "What's she doing there? Hasn't she got better things to do at home? How's it possible for a women to be "out there" talking politics and at the same time, remain faithful to her husband?"
Indeed, many women, once they have become ministers, ambassadors, Members of Parliament and wives of senior politicians or senior government officials, conveniently "forget" the struggle for women's rights. That also explains the feeble position of women in public life.
In Burkina Faso, the principle of women taking an active part in the nation's political life, is firmly established. There seems to be a feeling that this principle must be developed from a woman's point of view, as well as from that of "the authorities". How is this to be achieved?
To achieve this, the government must really want women's advancement. A first step was taken on 18-19 June, when President Blaise Compaoré met a group of women in Koudougou, to discuss what action to take. a number of concrete decisions were taken on this occasion. It was decided to extend the area covered by the government-sponsored support fund, to include money-making projects established by women; to establish a follow-up committee.
The recently established Ministry for Women's Advancement, is a positive sign of the government's good intentions in this direction. A special committee was set up to improve women's participation in the running of certain activities throughout the country.
NGOs play an important rôle in this effort, training and encouraging women to be leaders in their own communities and to take their own decisions.
Women themselves have taken positive actions, also. For example: Women in Politics (CFEP) and the Association of Elected Women of Burkina Faso (AFEB) held a joint meeting 18-20 August. These two women's groups deliberated on the previous election results. The meeting then drew up a plan of action for the next elections.
It was a step in the right direction, as success will, in the long run, only be achieved by women themselves. They have to convince their sisters everywhere, both in the towns and in rural areas, of the need for justice in the present situation. The struggle then has to be carried into the political arena. A great deal of awareness work still has to be done - education, mobilising women into action, organising. Only then will women truly support women on a national level.
Democracy and development go hand in hand. True democracy and lasting development cannot be achieved, without the full and effective participation of women. They are a force to be reckoned with and to be counted on. In Burkina Faso, both the authorities and women themselves have come to realise this. Women are becoming increasingly interested in political matters. Now they have to make their presence felt. Illiteracy and ignorance which prevent their advancement must be overcome.
Positive changes are taking place, but there is still a lot to be done. Women are making their presence felt in the world of politics...somewhat timidly.
END