From March 5 - 9, 74 individuals, representing 36 African countries, government, civil society, media, private sector and the United Nations, undertook an ardous climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro as part of the Africa UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign.

In support of this initiative, more than 3,000 people in Burundi initiated a climb event on 10 March, 2012, to the top of Mount Heha, the highest mountain of Burundi, standing at 2.670 meters.

Climbers included men, women, girls and boys representing civil society organizations, nearby communities, the United Nations and the government of Burundi, including members of the Ministries of Human Rights and Gender; Justice; Youth, Sports and Culture and members of the Parliament .

“I am so proud that Burundi has joined the UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign, reiterating its commitment to end violence against women and girls. The campaign invites us to join our efforts- Government, civil society, women's organizations, young people, the private sector, the media and the entire United Nations System. Together, united, we shall succeed because, as we say it, unity is strength”, said the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations Burundi Country Team, Rosine Sori Coulibaly.

"Everybody is tired to see the violence that's going on against women and girls" said Ms Clotilde Niragira, the Minister of National Solidarity, Human Rights and Gender, and expressed the Government's commitment to set up the Humura Centre in Gitega for the holistic care of survivors of gender based violence, to accelerate the process of adoption of a specific law on gender based violence;  and to strengthen the national police force for preventing and addressing violence against women and girls.

The "Unite to End Violence against Women” campaign in Africa aims at achieving five goals by 2015: adopt and enforce national laws to address and punish all forms of violence against women and girls; implement national multi-sectorial action plans; strengthen data collection on prevalence of violence against women and girls; increase public awareness and social mobilization and address sexual violence in conflict.