Women drug users in Bujumbura : between survival, stigma, and hope for reintegration

SOS Médias Burundi

Bujumbura, June 27, 2025 – In Bujumbura, women drug users struggle every day to survive in extremely precarious conditions. Rejected by their families and stigmatized by society, they nevertheless try to escape through substitution treatment and support from organizations. But without food, housing, or work, their reintegration remains a difficult path. Today, they are calling for urgent help and a second chance.

Chanelle, 32 years old, a resident of Kinanira, began using drugs at the age of 12 years.

“I left my parents very young because of conflict. I lived on the streets, where I had two children. When you take drugs, you can get pregnant without even knowing who got you pregnant, without mentioning rape cases without knowing the perpetrators,” she confides.

She is now on methadone treatment and thanks the organizations for their support :
“They give us the medication, they listen to us. But quitting drugs isn’t easy.”

Scolastique N., originally from Mutakura, also lives on the streets. She has two children, born in difficult circumstances.
“My family rejected me. When I miss my dose, I lose control. I take heroin, and sometimes I steal to be able to buy the next dose,” she says.

Methadone : a help, but not a complete solution

Amandine, 32 years old, originally from Ngagara, started using drugs at 15 years, influenced by the wrong crowd.
Alice, originally from Buterere, says she started using drugs as a teenager. Like other women, they are now receiving methadone-based substitution treatment, which helps ease the effects of withdrawal.

But they repeat : treatment is not enough.
“We sleep on the streets, with nothing to eat. Taking methadone without food makes us even weaker,” they say.

The lack of housing, food, or work makes their situation very difficult.

A call for solidarity and a second chance

These women are calling for more comprehensive support. They are calling on the authorities, humanitarian organizations, and the society in general to help them. They want concrete solutions : a roof over their heads, something to eat, healthcare, but also an activity that will allow them to become independent.

They also encourage other women in the same situation to seek support :
“There are people who show us that another life is possible,” they say.

One of the women makes a poignant appeal :
“We don’t want to live on the streets anymore.” We need a second chance. Help us become women, mothers, citizens again.”