* The projects were completed in 2024. Currently, we are not active in Burundi. *

For decades, Burundi has been rocked by recurring armed conflicts. Women are particularly affected: more than half experience gender-based violence in the course of their lives. The unstable situation in the country increases the physical, social and economic vulnerability of women and girls. We support the healing, social reintegration and economic independence of these women. 

War has been raging in eastern Ukraine since 2014; in 2022, Russia expanded its war of aggression to other parts of the country. As early as summer 2021, we launched a pilot programme with women in conflict-affected communities in eastern Ukraine, who have been affected by rampant poverty, social insecurity and gender-based violence for years. Our Ukraine programme gave them the space they needed to work together on strategies for safety in their daily lives and equal participation in peacebuilding. We continue building peace with them even during the war.

Our political commitment is based on four international human rights standards, which form the basis for women's and human rights, gender-just peace policies and sustainable development. We are committed to their effective implementation, internationally and in Switzerland.

With Resolution 1325 on "Women, Peace and Security", the UN Security Council passed a milestone in feminist peace and security policy. The instrument is central to our work with our project partners, our cooperation partners and with the activists and women's organisations in our worldwide network.