Burkina Faso is a West African, French speaking country that is so rich in culture with still much of their tradition preserved. The people are very well known for their art and music, most especially their drumming culture. Their main source of revenue is agriculture. Burkina Faso boasts of rich cultural attractions and wildlife parks.
Burkina Faso is an artificial word, using linguistic elements from the country’s most common language. Burkina interprets as “free man” in Mooré; while Faso means “land” in Dyula. Burkina Faso is therefore, identified as the “country of the free men.” People from the country are called Burkinabè.
It’s time to introduce you to something special about the country of the free men.
School of husbands:
The school for husbands, composed of about 15 married men, who meet once a week to discuss family life, guided by a facilitator.
It serves as an environment in which men can feel confident sharing with and learning from each other – from women’s rights, reproductive health, maternal health, family planning, hygiene. This way they no longer are merely spectators, but instead contribute fully to promoting the well-being of mothers and children in the region.
Though these programmes and lessons are tailored to fit the customs and culture of the communities and are wide-ranging. Married men, fathers and soon-to-be-husbands learn the importance of girls’ education, the need for pregnant women to receive antenatal care and safe delivery services, and the right of women and girls to live free of violence. The objective is to help men better understand the challenges facing the women in their homes and communities and know what contributions to make.
These lessons are critical in this region of Africa, which has some of the world’s highest rates of preventable maternal death and some of the lowest indicators of girls’ empowerment.
Reports indicate that in Burkina Faso, 52 per cent of girls are married at age 18. Girls are less likely than boys to be enrolled in school, and when they are married, are less likely to use a modern form of contraception.
Women in the community like Martine testify that they can observe a change. According to her “Ever since he started going to the husbands school, our relationship has improved significantly.”
Mr. Gnoumou who regularly attends these discussions, and takes pride in having changed his behaviour says “I would often fight with my wife and even hit her,” he reflected. “Now, I am aware that what I have been doing is not right.”
What are your thoughts about the school of husbands? Should more countries adopt it? Share with us in the comment section.
Facts are gotten from world bank.org