Uprising

Ines Nimbona, a teenage girl from burundi, a predominantly rural African country with the highest percentage of rural population in africa. It is known for its traditional music and dance, storytelling and artistic practices like ceramic work and bead making.

Like many other countries in africa, women are underrepresented in power structures. The phenomenon of sexual violence particularly against women and children is common in the country.

Most Burundian women have made some progress towards economic emancipation, but a web of cultural norms holds them back. Men are still considered the natural heads of household and chief decision-makers. Women’s property rights tend to be weak.

Ines mother Adelaide, a mother of four who works in a rice field was forced into marriage at the age of 16. Ines elder brother Amani, is a senior year student at cubahiro international school Burundi.

Ine, a smart,clever and intelligent girl whose parents refused to send to school simply because she is a girl child spent most of her days in the rice field, cultivating along side her mother..

Ines marriage was delayed because she is the only girl child in the family and the only one to help her mother in the rice field as men were not ment to work as a tradition in community. But to lead and make decisions for the women to follow.

For a girl child in most African countries, having a dream is like walking in a tunnel with no light at the end.

Ine had a dream to become the first woman president of burundi. Determined to achieve her dreams, she sneaks out of the house at dawn to attend private classes held by a foreigner at a lesson center close to the market Square.

This went on for years without her parents knowledge.

And at the age of 20, when it was time for the next national examination for a higher institution.

She saved up extra money and tips she made from selling rice at the market and registered for the exam.

But unfortunately, her parents found out about her little secret and forcefully arranged a marriage for her.

A night before her marriage, ine ran away from the house and went to the foreigner for advice.

The foreigner had a seminar presentation in another African country Nigeria titled “Dreams in Africa” she encouraged ine to travel with her to Nigeria to see things in a different light.

Nigeria is a well developed African country, and women held different leadership positions unlike her home country and some other African countries.

After Ines disappearance, her parents and villager searched everywhere for her but couldn't find her, and as days went by the whole situation died down.

Her mother cried secretly, while her father had already sworn to disown her.

After their arrival in Nigeria, ine was astonished by the things she saw, and how differently everything was.

Three days later, the seminar presentation - Dreams in africa- was held at the civic centre lagos state.

Ine became more open minded, her determination to achieve her dreams were more vivid than ever.

Years later, with the help of the foreigner who was practically her destiny helper, she completed her degree and masters in political science.

She Held a position in Government and with that influence, she made the biggest decision of her life. To go back to her root and change things for the betterment of the women.

On the 12th of June, she went back to burundi, but now with a lots of influence and connections from the government.

No one recognised her at first, she went to her family house, her parents despite being old, recognized her at the first glance

She knelt down before them and asked for forgiveness. Although her father had sworn never to forgive her but he couldn't hide the fact that he missed his only daughter. They all cried and hugged each other.

And With the alliance of the Nigerian government, she became the first ever woman to hold the presidential position in the country.

Alot of things began to change, Burundi's law now promotes women employment. The constitution sets a minimum of 30% women in government.

The national assembly, the lower chamber of parliament now requires government offices to employ women for half their positions.

At the same time, the women created an organisation called the Burundian women organisation to attack cultural barriers that held women back. And to end practices such as parents not sending their daughters to school.