Kayanza : men are not spared from gender-based violence

The association “Men in Distress” denounces the violence suffered by men in Kayanza province (northern Burundi). At least 50 men were victims of gender-based violence between January and October 2024, according to this association.

INFO SOS Médias Burundi

The phenomenon is aggravated by the Burundian culture which does not allow male victims of these abuses to “move forward”, according to Boniface Nduwimana, chairperson of the association “Men in Distress”. “They prefer to remain silent for fear of being stigmatized”.

“A man beaten by his wife during the night cannot tell the truth for fear of belittling himself. If he is questioned in the morning by his entourage, he answers that he hit his head… Few men can denounce this violence,” deplores Mr. Nduwimana.

His association specifies that several men who are victims of domestic violence end up committing suicide.

It asks men to break the silence and denounce the gender-based violence that their peers suffer on a daily basis.

Laws

In Burundi, laws on the protection of human rights seem to favor women, according to Boniface Nduwimana.

They have their own day to fight against gender-based violence, own a bank, in addition to several organizations that campaign for their rights, he lists.

“When a man is a victim of gender-based violence, he cannot turn to women’s associations because they also stigmatize him more.
That is why we are asking for a day dedicated to men too….”, says Boniface Nduwimana.

Since Monday, Burundi has joined the world in celebrating the 16 Days of Activism, an international campaign that lasts 16 days between November 25 – the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and December 10 – Human Rights Day. The campaign aims to raise awareness about gender-based violence at the local, national and international levels. The theme that has been chosen this year at the global level is “Responding and Rebuilding after Violence”. Getting out of violence is our collective responsibility!

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A man heads towards a bar of uncontrolled highly alcoholic drinks in the north of the country, one of the main causes of domestic violence in Burundi, August 2023 (SOS Médias Burundi)