Women from Kibirizi and other communities in Bwito, located in Rutshuru territory, live in constant fear of violence inflicted by armed groups. The simple task of going to the fields to harvest their agricultural produce turns into a terrifying ordeal, where the threat of physical violence and financial loss weighs heavily on their shoulders.
When they finally manage to recover their harvests, these peasant women find themselves facing another major challenge: selling their products on the market. Deprived of any negotiating power, they are forced to sell off their products for paltry sums, well below the fair value of their work. The pressure exerted by armed groups on the routes for selling agricultural products and the illegal barriers erected along the way further exacerbate the precarious situation in which these women find themselves.
Kabuo Kataka Clarisse, women’s advisor in Kibirizi, testifies to the daily ordeal experienced by these courageous women: “We face constant dangers when we venture into the fields. Armed groups harass us, intimidating us and forcing us to share our meager harvests with them. Once we arrive on the market, we are forced to sell our products at a loss, without being able to adequately provide for the needs of our families.”
The struggle of the women of Kibirizi for their survival and that of their loved ones is a cry of distress launched amid general indifference. It is essential to raise awareness and take action to put an end to the injustices and violence that overwhelm them. The fundamental rights of rural workers must be defended and respected, so that they can live and work in complete safety and dignity.
Together, let’s mobilize to support these courageous women and help them escape this spiral of violence and injustice. Every voice counts in the fight for a better future for all.