Women and youth in Commune Shombo, Burundi, are contending with significant challenges in accessing essential services, including healthcare and potable water. Residents report that long distances to facilities and a frequent lack of medication hinder access, while a large portion of the population relies on unsafe water sources for daily needs. Some women in Shombo commune have expressed concerns about the considerable distance to healthcare facilities, noting a critical barrier to well-being.
For instance, the nearest health center is located over three kilometers away from Esther Ntahinkuye's residence, contributing to the difficulties women and children in the locality face in obtaining medical care. This considerable distance is a recurring complaint among residents. Esther Ntahinkuye, a resident of Commune Shombo, reported traveling over four kilometers to vaccinate her child, only to find that no vaccine was available due to stockouts, further illustrating the precarious state of healthcare access. Residents of Kiguruka colline are compelled to use marsh and river water for domestic chores, excluding drinking, due to limited alternatives. Additionally, the Gatara colline is experiencing a severe shortage of potable water, a challenge that affects daily life and public health. Commune Shombo has a total population of 253,934 inhabitants, comprising 117,580 men and 136,354 women, many of whom are directly affected by these widespread service deficiencies. The commune Shombo is administratively divided into 12 zones and 64 hills, each grappling with these fundamental issues.
Barriers to Healthcare and Water
The challenges in accessing healthcare are multifaceted. Esther Ntahinkuye's experience, traveling over four kilometers for a vaccination only to find no vaccine due to stockouts, shows the unreliability of available services. Healthcare access is further challenged by the communal hospital, which, despite being almost complete in its construction, remains unopened due to a lack of essential equipment. This unequipped facility represents a significant missed opportunity for the community to improve its health outcomes. The frequent lack of medication at existing facilities compounds the difficulties faced by women and children seeking medical attention.
The scarcity of potable water also presents a significant daily hurdle for many residents. Rose Nibitanga walks approximately two kilometers each day to fetch potable water for her household, a routine that consumes valuable time and energy. The limited access to clean water sources has contributed to an increase in diseases related to poor sanitation, such as dysentery and cholera, posing serious public health risks for the entire population. The reliance on marsh and river water for domestic chores by residents of Kiguruka colline, for instance, notes the dire need for improved water infrastructure. The Gatara colline, in particular, faces a severe shortage of potable water, forcing residents to seek alternatives that may not always be safe.
Economic Struggles and Infrastructure Gaps
Economic challenges in Commune Shombo are compounded by significant infrastructure deficits, directly impacting livelihoods and opportunities for growth. The commune currently lacks a dedicated market for selling products, a situation described by peanut vendor Libérate Nzisabira. "Our commune has no market," Nzisabira stated, expressing a common frustration. "We continuously complain, but the authorities seem deaf to our concerns." Nzisabira also expressed apprehension about a planned store opening, fearing it could displace current vendors. "This is where commune residents converge and customers are found," Nzisabira said, emphasizing the importance of existing informal vending spots. "If we are chased away without an alternative solution, this center will lose all its commercial activity," she warned, noting the potential negative impact on local commerce. Oscar Hatungimana, a 30-year-old shopkeeper, further corroborates the economic struggles, stating that "revenues are very limited due to insufficient clients," indicating a broader issue of low purchasing power and economic activity within the commune. He observed that "there is not enough clientele to develop trade or consider its expansion," pointing to a stagnant commercial environment.
Infrastructure development remains limited, with only households located along the main road on Gatara colline having access to electricity. This limited access to power restricts economic activities and quality of life for a significant portion of the population. Additionally, the road connecting the communal center to the wider province is currently undergoing rehabilitation, a development that, while positive, shows past neglect and ongoing infrastructure needs. Constantin Nyabenda, 20, a farmer, noted that a new administrative division has facilitated electricity connections and road rehabilitation, suggesting some progress, albeit slow.
Farmers in the commune face agricultural hurdles, including a critical shortage of essential inputs. Constantin Nyabenda noted the critical need for fertilizers, stating, "There cannot be good harvests without urea. And during this agricultural year, it's worse." This shortage of chemical fertilizers is a major blow to agriculture in the region, directly impacting food security and farmer incomes. Nyabenda also called for an increase in financial support mechanisms, remarking, "We want the multiplication of micro-credit institutions to allow the poorest among us to get by," showing the need for accessible financial resources. Further illustrating the economic constraints, young farmer Prosper Ndayihimbanze deplored the absence of the agricultural support program PAEEJ in his locality, a program designed to provide key assistance to young agricultural entrepreneurs. Constantin Nyabenda also regretted that many young people do not have access to financing through PAEEJ, reinforcing the sentiment that vital support programs are not reaching those who need them most.
Social Issues and Gender Disparities
Social issues, particularly those affecting women, are deeply entrenched in Commune Shombo. Séraphine Nicintije, a 39-year-old mother of five in Commune Shombo, is embroiled in a protracted land dispute, alleging her late husband's family seized her cultivable land. Nicintije stated, "I decided to take the matter to justice so that my rights would be recognized. The judges rendered the verdict and awarded me a plot." However, her stepsons have refused to return the land, defying the court's decision. Nicintije reported that she was asked to pay 50,000 BIF for judges to enforce the court's decision, a sum she does not possess, effectively denying her justice due to financial constraints. "As I don't have the necessary financial means, each time the judges come to execute the decision, they receive bribes and turn back without even reaching the field," Nicintije explained, exposing a troubling pattern of corruption within the judicial process. She added, "I spent the entire rainy season without cultivating anything," noting the severe economic impact of the dispute. Nicintije revealed, "They threatened me with death if they ever see me cultivating on this plot. I am poor. The judges asked me for 50,000 BIF to come and execute the judgment, but I do not have this sum," illustrating the extreme vulnerability she faces.
Separately, plastic-bottled alcoholic drinks were banned on a specific colline within the commune after contributing to family conflicts, indicating the presence of social problems linked to alcohol abuse. The phenomenon of free unions is also common in the locality, presenting challenges for women in terms of legal recognition and property rights. N.N. Reported her husband abandoned her last year to remarry elsewhere, taking all their property. She said, "I went through very difficult times. I regularly went to the residence court to seek justice because he had taken all our belongings and left me alone with the children," depicting the devastating consequences of such unions when they dissolve.
Regarding local leadership, Anastasie Nizigiyimana heads Gatara colline and is the sole woman among five elected colline leaders, a statistic that shows the significant gender imbalance in local governance. "During the morning, I was busy dealing with a situation where a husband had locked up his wife to lynch her. Thank God, I prevented the worst from happening," Nizigiyimana stated, noting the severe domestic violence issues she confronts in her leadership role. She also noted broader challenges faced by women in leadership, saying, "After receiving the ten million, tensions arose during the purchase of pigs. They did not survive, and those who received them did not repay the money, even though it was funds intended for the cooperative's development." This incident involving the Sangwe cooperative, which received ten million and faced tensions after pigs purchased with the funds did not survive, illustrates the difficulties in managing community projects and the potential for financial mismanagement. Nizigiyimana remarked, "On this colline, we don't have any [women in leadership]. I hope the government will do so as soon as possible," expressing a desire for more female representation. She further observed, "We hear men saying that women are incapable. It is regrettable," pointing to persistent gender stereotypes that hinder women's advancement. At the commune level, the administrator has four advisors, with only one being a woman, further illustrating the disparity in representation. Out of eleven departments in the commune, a single department is led by a woman, reinforcing the pattern of underrepresentation. However, there are some glimmers of progress: three zones—Rusi, Rusamaza, and Nyabikere—are led by women, and one colline, Gatabo, also has a female leader, demonstrating that women are capable and willing to take on leadership roles when given the opportunity.
Commune Initiatives and Future Outlook
Despite the numerous challenges, Commune Shombo has undertaken certain initiatives aimed at improving living conditions. The commune has aménagé and rehabilitated at least thirty-six potable water sources, a key step towards addressing the severe water scarcity. Additionally, 300 benches have been received and distributed to needy schools, enhancing the learning environment for students. However, the path to full development remains arduous. Oscar Hatungimana, a 30-year-old shopkeeper, states that "there is not enough clientele to develop trade or consider its expansion," attributing limited revenues to insufficient clients and a struggling local economy. Farmer Constantin Nyabenda, 20, observed that a new administrative division facilitated electricity connections and road rehabilitation, indicating that some strategic interventions can yield positive results. However, Nyabenda regretted that many young people lack access to financing through the PAEEJ agricultural program, showing a persistent gap in support for the youth. Separately, the Sangwe cooperative received ten million, but faced tensions after pigs purchased with the funds did not survive, noting the complexities and risks associated with development projects at the local level. These initiatives, while positive, represent only a fraction of the interventions needed to address the systemic challenges faced by the women and youth of Commune Shombo.
