Pope Leo XIV clarifies mission in Africa, emphasizes Gospel over politics amid US criticism

Burkina Faso's BIIG-YI-NEERE project concludes, leaving a lasting legacy for child protection

The BIIG-YI-NEERE project, implemented in Burkina Faso between 2021 and 2026, has concluded, leaving a significant impact on child protection. The project, whose name means "for the well-being of the child," addressed the prevalence of violence, including sexual and gender-based violence, against children. It mobilized six key ministries: Family, Security, Defense, Justice, Education, and Health, involving professionals from various state sectors. Child protection associations and networks received extensive support, including training, development of sectoral procedures, and educational tools. A key innovation was the active involvement of children, empowering them to be central to their own protection. Lara Pocock, representing the IBCR Director General, emphasized that the project was not done "without them." This participatory approach was lauded by stakeholders. Ndeye Astou Fall, country representative of the International Bureau for Children's Rights in Burkina Faso, stated that 11,082 people directly benefited from the project's actions in cities like Koudougou, Kaya, Ouagadougou, Ouahigouya, Dédougou, and Bobo Dioulasso. Operationally, the project developed eleven standardized procedures and a multi-sectoral operating model, with six dedicated to state sectors such as the army, justice, education, health, police, and gendarmerie. Four procedures were designed for community and associative actors, and eight training kits were developed. Windkouni Benjamin Ouédraogo, re