Bujumbura, May 6, 2025 — Press Cafe; A high arena for advocacy held at City Hill Hotel, where women’s voices, leadership, and rights took center stage in a national dialogue on governance reforms.

The event organized by the Women’s International Peace Centre (WIPC) in partnership with Association des Femmes Rapatriés du Burundi (AFRABU), brought together a cross-section of the media, civil society organizations, and gender experts to engage on the need to integrate women’s perspectives into policy frameworks shaping local leadership.

Read More “Press Café in Bujumbura: Advocating for Women’s Inclusion in Burundi’s New Communal Governance Structures”

The Women’s International Peace Centre (formerly Isis-WICCE) is deeply saddened by the passing of Mrs. Jessica Babihuga-Nkuuhe, whose contribution to the organisation and to peacebuilding across communities will remain part of our collective history.

For a significant part of her career, Jessica worked alongside us at the Peace Centre, serving as Associate Director and Coordinator of the Women’s Situation Room. In these roles, she brought a distinct way of thinking and an unwavering commitment to addressing the violence that continues to destroy communities and deeply affect women and young people.

With Jessica, we spent long nights completing funding proposals, travelled through fragile and conflict-affected countries to promote peace, and carried the shared concern of whether our work would create the change communities urgently needed. She initiated several projects driven by a desire to restore hope and dignity and to place smiles back on the faces of communities living through difficult realities.

Together with colleagues at the Peace Centre, Jessica challenged systems of power, opened conversations on peace and security, and pushed through spaces of leadership to demand recognition and response to the realities women face during conflict and war.

Jessica also trained and mentored agents of change across Africa, Asia, and Europe. Her warmth, encouragement, and belief in communities left a lasting impact on many people she encountered through this work.

Her dedication was never carried alone. During demanding periods of work and field missions, her spouse and family stood firmly beside her. At the Peace Centre, the Babihuga family was a constant presence in stories of support, care, and solidarity. Their unwavering support throughout Jessica’s life and during her illness is something we remain deeply grateful for.

We also extend our gratitude to the Nkuuhe and Babihuga families, and to Urgent Action Fund for the support extended towards Jessica’s health needs.

Jessica’s life and work remain woven into the Peace Centre’s journey, and into the many communities and individuals she walked alongside in pursuit of peace and justice.

We absolutely love the Girl Power Camps, and we recently hosted a transformative one at Moruinera Primary School in Amuria, in partnership with the Stephen Lewis Foundation. This camp engaged girls aged 13-17 in Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), empowering them with essential knowledge and skills about their bodies and rights. This is particularly important in addressing challenges like early pregnancies and menstrual-related absenteeism, which contribute to high school dropout rates in Amuria district.

Why should girls be ashamed to talk about their own bodies? One of the key highlights was the focus on demystifying menstruation, which has long been stigmatized and even, referred to as ‘Adeka Na Elapa,’ in Ateso meaning “sickness of the month.” By introducing terms like ‘menstrual pads’ and ‘period pads,’ the camp encouraged open conversations and challenged misconceptions about menstruation and bodily changes. These discussions helped dismantle the shame and misinformation surrounding menstrual health, giving the girls the confidence to manage their menstruation with pride and without fear.

“I love being in this camp with my friends because I can openly talk about my body and not feel bad”  shares Gloria Amuge, one of the participants.

This freedom to discuss menstruation openly and without shame is groundbreaking for many of the girls, who have previously been silenced by  stigma. Additionally, the camp included practical workshops where the girls learned to make their own reusable menstrual pads. This activity provided them with essential skills and a sense of independence and resourcefulness.