If we talk of economic growth in Burkina Faso, it is largely down to the fact that women have been put in charge at all levels of the development sector.

Chantal Marie Rachelle Ouédraogo (35) is married and the mother of two girls. She is head of the Association Femmes 2000 (Women's Association 2000) fighting HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis and taking care of persons living with HIV. She was decorated by the Burkina Faso government for service to the nation on 11 December 2003. She was given the Knight of the Order for Merit medal.

Chantal Marie Rachelle Ouédraogo studied to receive her secondary school level I certificate before settling into professional life with the intention of being of service to those around her. A mother of two, she is well-known for her courage and willingness to help rural women of her country to get involved in development activities, to promote their rights. She is the founder and president of an association of women called Association Femmes 2000. Its objective is to empower women by strengthening local goods such as peanut butter, soumbala (spice), or homemade soap. The association also aims at sensibilizing against desertification. Chantal serves as commercial agent in a service specializing in the mobilization of public savings to meet the social and economical needs of its members. From 1990 to 1992, she worked as social and cultural field officer for a non-governmental organization in Burkina Faso in the area of community health. From 1992 to 1994, she was director of a business on Performance and Various Services (EPSD). From 1994 to 1996, she founded and chaired the association of rural and semi-urban women of Burkina. From 1996 to 2003, she found herself at the head of a health insurance company in Burkina. Chantal Marie Rachelle Ouédraogo is a very religious woman characterized by a Christian faith that imposes on her the duty to serve others in the hope of contributing to the progress of humanity.

Association Femmes 2000 (AF 2000)