Everyday Heroes: Joséphine Ouédraogo (Burkina Faso)

Her Viewpoint

Ouédraogo calls the participation of women in the political life of Burkina Faso “interesting.” She notes the presence of several women in decision-making posts but says that much remains to be done. “One must win the battle for equality in the society before one can win the battle of equality between women,” she says. “If Africa is lagging behind, it is because our leaders do not work for the good of everyone.”

Regarding the issue of gender, she says that ENDA does not have an official policy on this. However, she adds, the organization is developing a policy document to inform its choice of activities and actions related to gender issues for the coming 10 years. Ouédraogo and her staff are also working at the grassroots level with women’s groups to address issues related to the environment, education, health and agriculture. Women play a major role in Burkina Faso’s rural economy, representing about 60 percent of the agricultural labor force. They also represent a significant part of the informal economy in urban areas.

Our governments would gain by supporting these activities, she says. The rural economic fabric should be integrated into the national economies. This should be carried out by providing technological support in the manufacture and marketing of different products. The liberalization of the economy brought on by the West in our countries should not only enrich a minority of the population but should help advance everyone.

In Burkina Faso, this school of thought made it possible to construct many dispensaries, health centers, dams, and roads, creating many jobs in the process. However, when the opening up to democracy did not follow, Ouédraogo was disappointed.

In September 2007, after holding several international posts, she was named Executive Director of Enda Tiers Monde in Dakar, Senegal. Ouédraogo is firstly someone who is very concerned about minorities, someone who is deeply involved in her work and above all very happy to be a woman, an African woman living on her continent. Critically judged by some upon taking on the top post at Enda, she has in time been able to bring her more reserved management style and also her perspectives as a woman to an institution that had always been run by men.

For her, sensitivity to the living conditions of rural populations, and women in particular, should remain our daily concern. Women who occupy decision-making posts should work to make sure that rural women have access to basic services, including water, electricity, health and education. Her experiences in several African countries have given her the opportunity to know and understand the challenges women have to face.

Profoundly influenced by the late President Thomas Sankara, Joséphine Ouédraogo aspires to continue his fight against discrimination and for the development of minorities. She would like also to leave a moral legacy to the younger generations: A legacy of love, generosity and fighting for “les petites gens” — the least among us. What is most important is the way and spirit in which all people realize the projects they undertake throughout their professional path.