Fatim, Specialized Bachelor's in Sociology,
Alternatives, Burkina Faso,
Network of Shea Butter Producers of Hauts-Bassins and Cascades (RPBHC)
As I mentioned before, my mission has been to serve as a Gender Equality Officer with a country team based in Burkina Faso, a West African country. This team, known as the Réseau des Productrices de Beurre de Karité des Hauts-Bassins et des Cascades (RPBHC), is dynamic and highly productive. Comprising several women leaders who are actively engaged in the economic development of women and youth, I had the opportunity to share my knowledge and interact with some of these women—women who have managed to maintain their leadership positions despite numerous challenges.
Although progress is happening, it is still in its early stages. In this society, a significant number of women—particularly those living in rural areas—are expected, by tradition, to submit entirely to male authority. This deeply ingrained paternalistic tradition prevents them from gaining social influence, access to education, and economic empowerment. You may wonder how I came to this realization.
Of course, with thorough online research, I could have accessed some of this information. However, nothing compares to direct conversations with the women themselves, shaping discussions in ways that bring out their lived experiences. This is exactly what my internship allowed me to do! My position enabled me to go beyond internet-based research and immerse myself—virtually—in their world. I felt a deeper connection with these women and had the privilege of hearing their stories firsthand.
One particularly memorable interview took place a month ago with two Burkinabè women leaders who have led teams for several years. One of them has been the president of her women’s group in Békuy, a town in the Hauts-Bassins region, since 2012. The other has been the president of the TEDBERO cooperative since 2016. Her company produces shea nuts and is part of the RPBHC, the organization I collaborated with.
From a personal perspective, it is undeniable that we live in a modern capitalist world, where competition is fierce, and education levels significantly impact opportunities. While paternalistic systems still oppress women, things are slowly evolving in many societies. In some Global South countries, change happens at a gradual pace, but it does produce real effects over time.
These two women truly captivated me with their stories. At one point in their lives, they were left to fend for themselves, yet through sheer determination, they managed to contribute to their country’s economic development and secure leadership positions in their communities. They took on responsibilities with resilience, overcoming numerous external obstacles along the way.
With no diplomas and limited formal education, they never had the chance to attend secondary school or even complete primary school due to financial hardship and forced marriage. Despite these challenges, they became community leaders, inspiring other women to join their networks through their hard work, encouragement, charisma, and strong voices.
We discussed many other fascinating topics, but I want to end with the most valuable lesson I learned from them. Without even realizing it, these two women instilled in me the motivation to push myself further and make the most of my opportunities.
I have all the tools at my disposal—I just need to learn how to put them together!