Honour certificate to the First Lady |
"Protection of the environment: key to food
security and empowerment of women". This was the national theme of the
Women's Day, celebrated worldwide on 8 March 2017. The ceremonies were held in
the province of Ruyigi under the patronage of Her Excellency Reverend Denise
Nkurunziza, the First Lady of Burundi.
As this day was created as a result of the demands of
women's rights, those who took the allocutions appreciated the step already
taken in the empowerment of women in Burundi. The UNFPA Resident Representative,
Mrs. Suzanne Ngo Mandong, commended the government's efforts to protect women.
"It is clear from the legal point of view that the Constitution of Burundi
is a constitution recognized as progressive in to ensure equal rights for all
Burundian citizens, in this case, the rights of women and girls ".
In her speech, the First Lady of the country announced
that the 8th of March celebration should be a self-assessment for all Burundian
women. She also advised women: "You cannot protect the environment in a
country you do not like. You must first love your country and you will have the
spirit to protect it. "
The First Lady also recommended women to be honest in
their work, to be responsible in their families, and be assiduous at work.
"A woman of integrity cannot be absent from work at any time, and must be
punctual," said Reverend Denise Nkurunziza.
The ceremonies were also enhanced by the dignitary
ladies, the First Vice of the Senate, some members of the senate and
parliament, some members of the government, the Ambassador of the People's
Republic of China and France, and International organisations.
The Minister of Human Rights, Social Affairs and
Gender, Martin Nivyabandi finally handed certificates of honour to the
exemplary women among who was the wife of the Head of State, Her Excellency
Rev. Denise Nkurunziza, and athlete Francine Niyonsaba.