Mechanisms to promote the advancement of women
National Machinery. The National Supervisory Commission for the Implementation of Strategies and the Plan of Action for Strengthening the Role and Position of Women in the Development Process (CONAPAF) was established in 1993 within the Ministry of Finance and Planning. It is charged with drawing up, monitoring and evaluating programmes, and with promoting the coordination of programmes and projects benefiting women. Although its activities have been limited so far due to its recent establishment, members of the Commission have undergone training in gender analysis and development, and plan to popularize this concept with the aim of incorporating gender issues into project planning.
WID Units or Focal Points in Technical Ministries. The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock has been creating, since 1988, Bureaux for the Promotion of Women's Activities (BPAF) in the Regional Centres for Agro-Pastoral Promotion. The focus of these bureaux is on food processing and marketing activities. However, they are hindered by lack of qualified personnel and inadequate infrastructure.
The Ministry of Finance and Planning has a Bureau for the Integration of Women in Development. While there are no specific women's units or focal points in other Ministries, a number of them have specific programmes or components directed to women. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism gives priority to women in its National Action Plan for the Environment (PANE).
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Emerging during the drought years of the 1970's, NGOs have increased in number to about 165, including 104 foreign NGOs and 61 national. Since the International Year of Women in 1975, a number of NGOs have developed WID projects or created women's components. There are about 140 women's groups and NGOs, some of which focus on specific issues such as women's rights and family planning. The Federation of Women of Burkina Faso brings together women's organizations for the purpose of strengthening their work in areas such as protection of the environment, savings and credit, health, agriculture, village water supply, literacy, training and information.
In order to improve coordination with NGOs, the government has created a number of structures, including a Permanent Secretariat for NGOs (SPONG), Office for Support of NGOs (BESONG), NGO Liaison Bureau (BELONGA) and an Officer for the Coordination of Women's Groups and NGOs.
