IAWARDS
Double the Honor, Double the Joy! Double Honor for FWA's National Coordinator!
We are thrilled to celebrate Rev. Past. NTAHUBA PARFAITE, National Coordinator of FWA, for receiving two prestigious awards recognizing her outstanding leadership and tireless advocacy for gender justice and women's rights!
1. Excellence Award - "LEADERSHIP"
Awarded by Faith to Action Network in 2024
In recognition of her unwavering commitment to promoting Gender Justice within Faith Communities.
2. National Recognition by the Ministry of National Solidarity
On March 8th, 2025, Rev. Parfaite was honored with a Certificate of Recognition for her bravery and dedication to the advancement of women's rights—a cornerstone for sustainable development in Burundi.
FWA celebrates these honors as a powerful encouragement to keep empowering women, uplifting communities, and building a more just and inclusive society.
Congratulations, Rev. Parfaite! Your leadership inspires us all!
IIFWA STAFF CAPACITY BUILDING
On September 16-18, 2025, there was an AVP basic workshop in the Friends Women's Association (FWA) new training room under construction. 18 participants were present including three men and 15 women. Among the 18 participants, 16 were from the FWA staff and two were from Healing and Rebuilding our Communities (HROC) Burundi.
Facilitators were Anne Dietrich, Obed Nijimbere, Florence Rutamucero, and Klive Doelly Mugenzi. The objective of the training was to equip participants with conflict transformation skills as we were heading to the International day of Peace on September 21, 2025.
Facilitators started by the AVP background which started in 1975 in New York by United States Quakers. They started to work in prisons. The AVP philosophy is "There is that of Good in every person". This means that there is transformative energy in each one of us.
Recommendations
- Create an AVP WhatsApp group for all the participants
- To learn more about AVP, Visit http://avp.international/
- FWA recommends to have both the AVP advanced and AVP ToF
- Stories of success are the ones that allow us to go to the next level of AVP
IIIFRIENDS PEACE TEAMS EVENT
On December 13, 2025, there was a virtual gathering, and all the African Great Lakes Initiative (AGLI) partners were there to share stories about the peace work they are doing in their different communities.
We had time to remember late David Zarembka who worked very hard to promote peace in Kenya and in the Great lakes region. The time was so inspiring as we had an opportunity to learn from each other.
IVINTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL EVENTS
AVP Gathering in Uganda
On August 11 to 15, 2025 there was an Alternative to Violence Program (AVP) gathering at Namirembe Guest House in Kampala, Uganda. 20 participants were there, including 9 women and 11 men. Among the participants, 14 are AVP facilitators and 6 are not AVP. Participants were coming from Burundi, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia.
The topic of the gathering was "AVP in the changing world in Central and Eastern Africa". Parfaite Ntahuba, as the coordinator of Quaker Peace Network Africa was there. This gathering was supported by the African Great Lakes Initiative of the Friends Peace Teams and the Salama Hub in Ethiopia.
Mental Health Conference
On November 28, 2025, the FWA organized a conference on mental health. The theme was "Strengthening Family Resilience in Mental Health Recovery."
The Restitution Workshop successfully brought together families, mental health professionals, community structures, and technical partners. It served as an important platform to disseminate lessons from the Kisubi conference in Uganda, contextualise them for Burundi, and strengthen the role of families in mental health promotion and recovery.
VACTIVITIES
A. Caring for HIV Positive People (CHIVPP)
During the period from January 1st, 2025 to December 31st, 2025, Friends Women's Association (FWA) through its Ntaseka Clinic provided medical follow-up and home visits for our HIV positive people.
About this particular project, three main activities were done: Medical follow up for HIV positive people was done. The result is that only three out of the 125 people who did the viral load test were found with a positive result. This means that 97.6% of the Ntaseka clinic HIV people are taking well their medication.
Key Achievement
97.6% viral suppression rate among patients
1. Educational Support
In the month of August, Friends Women's Association (FWA) provided school material to seven vulnerable children including orphans in high school. FWA is now looking for support for three recent graduate from high school to attend university.
2. Nutritional Support Because of Food Insecurity
Ongoing support provided to vulnerable HIV+ patients.
B. Maternity Ward Building
Ntaseka Clinic's Maternity Ward supplies baby delivery services and care needed for pregnant women, new mothers and newborn babies. Although the Clinic's maternity ward still needs some medical equipment, hospitalization services are functional.
We still need medical equipment with a cost around USD 20,000
"Today, my heart is full. I welcomed my beautiful baby into the world at the Friends Women's Association (FWA), and I cannot express how thankful I am. From the moment I arrived, the Nurse received me with kindness, patience, and professionalism. They stayed by my side, encouraged me, and made me feel safe."
- Joyce, a grateful mother after delivery
C. Improving Women's Reproductive Health (IWRH)
Three main Activities were done: Three training workshops on sexual and reproductive health and one outreach educational sessions on sexual and reproductive health (SRH).
March 27, 2025 - SRH Awareness Workshop
This activity touched 100 women of reproductive age, members of self-help groups (SHGs) in Kamenge.
May 22-24, 2025 - SHG Members Training
30 participants per session. Topics included family planning, mutual health insurance, and income generating activities.
June 2025 - Youth SRH Workshop
28 young people, including girls, boys, and newlyweds aged 13 to 25 were present. The day was highlighted by an enriching meeting with Dr. Alexia Nibona, general practitioner.
September 10, 2025 - Family Planning Outreach
Outreach educational session on the importance of family planning at Kamenge Central market.
Impact: At the end of December 2025, we had an average of 600 people per month attending Ntaseka clinic for family planning methods.
D. Rape Survivors' Support (RSS)
RSS has so far established 63 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) for 1,575 women in Kamenge, 30 SHGs for 750 women in Nyabiraba and 40 SHGs for 1,000 women in Giheta in Gitega province. This means we have a general total of 3,325 women members of the FWA self-help groups.
1. Success Stories
"Before joining the savings group, I was a deeply troubled woman. I had suffered domestic violence that left me feeling worthless and broken... Everything began to change when a friend invited me to join the SHG. Through this group and through Street Business School program, I learned valuable life skills, including self-confidence."
- Francine, SHG member
"Since joining FWA in 2017; my life has been completely transformed. FWA helped me find my path, take responsibility, and become a confident and courageous leader. Most importantly, I have achieved financial independence."
- Violette, From Dependence to Leadership
"When I joined the FWA's SHG, I was emotionally exhausted, but it was a turning point in my life... With my savings, I bought a plot of land... Due to the SHG, I am gradually building a house..."
- Evelyne Ndayishimiye, Finding Peace through Savings
2. Provision of Loans to SHGs
In August, loans were granted to three savings groups recognized as the best performers of the 63 SHGs. Each group received a loan of FBu 5,600,000, repayable over one year.
This financial support came from a USD 25,000 grant from The Bronwen and Brian Mills Educational Trust.
3. Trauma Healing Workshops
Under the support of the Global Giving Platform and the African Great Lakes Initiative, 12 trauma healing workshops for 240 GBV survivors in Maramvya in Bujumbura province and four workshops in two refugees' camps.
4. Street Business School (SBS)
In June, Street Business School began with 40 participants. In December, participants studied three modules to strengthen their business skills including Financial Management, Customer Relations, and Business Growth.
5. Women's Socio-Economic Empowerment Center
The FWA has continued the construction of the Women's Socio Economic Empowerment Center (WSEEC). The aim of this project is to avail training rooms and a temporary safe shelter for gender-based violence survivors at the FWA headquarters.
Funding Progress
E. Action on Gender-Based Violence (AGBV)
In the month of February, there was support of small projects initiated by Gender-based violence survivors from Bujumbura, Bubanza, Gitega, Makamba, Cibitoke and Rumonge.
On 29th April 2025, we closed the three-year "Connecting the Global to the Local: Strengthening Women's Leadership for the Localization of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) on Women, Peace and Security".
The main structural change this project has contributed to is that women mediators have been recognized at the administrative level. Some of them currently have offices in provincial capitals.
December 10, 2025 - Digital GBV Awareness
Under the support of Faith to Action Network, FWA organized a peaceful walk and a conference debate to raise awareness against digital gender-based violence. 66 participants including 45 women and 21 men.
V. MEDICAL TEAM
V.1. Consultations
V.2. Laboratory
In the period from January 1st, 2025 to December 31st, 2025, apart from HIV voluntary testing, there were a total of 4,626 tests.
| Test | Completed | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malaria Test (G.E.) | 850 | 329 | 521 |
| Quick Malaria Test | 612 | 176 | 436 |
| Urine Test (ECBU) | 239 | 191 | 48 |
| Stool Test | 210 | 161 | 49 |
| Pregnancy Test | 511 | 96 | 415 |
| Typhoid Fever | 842 | 295 | 547 |
| Diabetes | 225 | 91 | 134 |
| Syphilis | 189 | 18 | 171 |
| Hepatitis B | 83 | 5 | 78 |
| Hepatitis C | 86 | 3 | 83 |
| Complete Blood Count | 654 | 230 | 424 |
| Viral Load | 125 | 3 | 122 |
| Total | 4,626 | 1,598 | 3,028 |
V.3. Family Planning
During 2025, a total 7,213 people received contraceptives (Average: 600 per month).
V.4. Prenatal Consultation (PNC)
557 women came for prenatal consultation and 577 women came for the ultrasound test.
V.5. Anti-Retroviral Site
V.6. Pharmacy
Regarding medications, FWA was able to purchase the minimum needed medicine.
V.7. Psychosocial Team
VI. FWA 2026 PRIORITIES
- Building the Women's Economic Empowerment Center - Continue construction and mobilization of funds
- FWA Staff capacity building - Ongoing training and professional development
- Caring for HIV positive beneficiaries - Empowering medical staff, educational support for vulnerable children, nutritional support
- Ntaseka clinic maternity ward equipment - Need USD 20,000 for medical equipment
- Strengthening women socio-economic empowerment program - Trauma healing workshops, GBV workshops, Street Business School for 40 women
- Improving Women's reproductive health - Group discussions, outreach sessions, community health workers
- Networking - Collaborate with local administration, Quaker organizations, and national/international partners