Empowering Women Through Fish Farming

This was the goal of a training organized by CAREC (Community Advocates for Women's Reproduction and Children's Health), in collaboration with Isezerano Company. The initiative benefited over 260 women and young girls, empowering them to develop their own projects, particularly in fish farming. The session took place on April 15, 2025, at the Heha Conference Hall in Maramvya, Mutimbuzi commune, Bujumbura province.

Lorraine Ndayikeza, CAREC's legal representative, stated: "We brought these women together, recognizing the many challenges they face, to help them get organized and plan their own projects."

She added: "We first had open discussions to help them overcome the hardships they’ve been through. Then, we formed them into nine savings and credit associations, enabling them to start small businesses like selling vegetables and fruits, which generated profits."

On the focus of fish farming, Ms. Ndayikeza said: "Very few women are in this sector, although they are fully capable. We wanted to introduce them to it. With even 3,000,000 BIF, they can start fish farming."

She concluded that the training provided them with essential knowledge in aquaculture, and they now hope to raise fish for both consumption and sale, thereby generating income to improve their families' living conditions.