Mothers’ Union celebrates 20 years of changing lives through literacy

This International Literacy Day, 8 September, Mothers’ Union is celebrating its life-changing Literacy and Financial Education Programme in Burundi which has been running for over 20 years. Since its inception more than 144,000 people, 89% women, have learnt to read and write to a nationally approved standard through this community-led programme, enriching their lives and empowering communities. 

At the turn of millennium, Burundi faced immense challenges as one of the poorest countries in the world, still suffering from the effects of a civil war that lasted 12 years (1993-2005). This conflict devasted communities, disrupted family relationships, interrupted access to education and exacerbated gender disparities. In response, Mothers’ Union initiated its Literacy and Financial Education Programme in 2000 to combat poverty, promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.

As part of its global mission to end violence, poverty and injustice, Mothers’ Union recognises literacy as a cornerstone for individual and community transformation. The programme initially focused on functional literacy and numeracy education for 10 years before expanding to encompass financial and business development education and the formation of community-led savings and loan associations in 2010. In 2018, parenting education was added, to enhance parents’ understanding of the importance of educating their children, especially girls.

Over 165,400 participants, 77% women, have benefited from the programme.  As well as adult literacy training, the 1,291 trained facilitators cover relevant topics such as advocacy, peace building, trauma healing and effective communication. The programme has contributed to the achievement of 8 out of 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

The impact of the programme has been profound:

• Gender equality and women’s empowerment: the programme has increased women’s household decision-making power and disrupted the deeply ingrained norm that household chores are the sole responsibility of women and girls. Over half of the surveyed female participants have been elected for leadership positions.
• Financial empowerment: the programme expanded women’s opportunities to access and have control over their own finances. 88% of female participants have increased personal income. 90% of female programme participants started a business. 83% have two or three businesses.
• Transformation of families: participants reported improved family relations which has had impacts across generations benefitting whole communities. Learning to read and write resulted in a remarkable increase in school enrolment, with 94% of male participants sending their children to school in 2022, compared to 52% in 2006.
• Contribution to community development and nation building: the programme built communities of hope which support values of social inclusion, conflict resolution and peace building.
• Reduction of domestic violence: there has been a significant reduction in domestic violence amongst participants. 86% of female and 90% of male programme participants reported reduced domestic and intimate partner violence. 98% of female and male participants advocate against sexual and gender-based violence.

One couple, Deo and Verdiane, joined the programme in 2005. ‘‘I regularly beat my wife and forbade her to participate in community meetings or undertake any income generating activities. Our family was very poor and troubled.” Deo thought his wife was worthless. She had no say in family decisions. Their lives were transformed when they joined a Mothers’ Union literacy circle. Deo began to value Verdiane as a partner, and learned to respect her. With their new literacy skills, the couple started a small business, which has lifted them out of poverty. Now, as Deo says, “Everything has changed… I discovered that women have many talents and skills, that they can make wise decisions. Our family is happy. We are now literate and can do business without being cheated at the market. I want to encourage my wife to stand for the next election as a leader of our community.”

The couple now have five children and have paid for their education through the income they have generated through their multiple businesses. “We have learnt a lot, more than just numeracy and literacy skills. We have learnt about unity and working together and the importance of education for everyone.”

A Mothers’ Union leader from the Diocese of Matana, Burundi shares: “The programme is life changing… it gives you a new (lease of) life. We have learnt to read and write so it has opened our eyes. We make money and can feed and clothe ourselves and our children. We have bought land and have built our own houses. We (women) have become the light of our families.”

Bev Jullien, the chief executive of Mothers’ Union said: “We are immensely proud to share the impact of 20 years of working with our colleagues in Burundi. Being able to read and write is a skill so many of us take for granted, yet at least 763 million young people and adults around the world lacked basic literacy skills in 2020. This programme is a brilliant example of partnership working and impactful and community led development and highlights the transformational effects of literacy.”

In 2022, Mothers’ Union, in collaboration with their partner Five Talents, commissioned a report into the impact of the programme from 2001 to 2021. The summary and full report can be read on the Mothers’ Union website: www.mothersunion.org/BurundiReport