Burkina Faso

This 2022 JNS survey of the general population was conducted face to face and is part of HiiL’s broader research programme in Burkina Faso. It follows a small-scale survey conducted online in 2021. It also accompanies a parallel survey on the justice needs of internally displaced persons carried out in partnership with UNHCR.

Key Highlights

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data studies launched

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Burkinabé interviewed about their justice journeys

HiiL expresses concern regarding the second coup d’etat that took place on 30 September 2022. This comes at a time when Burkinabè are seeking a more responsive justice system.

Burkina Faso suffers from several humanitarian crises spurred by violence, displacement and an increasingly dire refugee situation. Under this backdrop and with support from the Minister of Justice, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and Terre des Hommes, HiiL launched a pair of Justice Needs & Satisfaction studies to map the justice journeys and concerns facing everyday Burkinabè. 

The data collected in these surveys reflect an urgent demand to address concerns of access to justice for the people of Burkina Faso, both those living in the country and those that have fled to other countries. 

“There is a large demand for justice overall, and access to basic services specifically by the population and vocal CSOs.”

Gathering data and articulating what those findings show have been an integral part of our work so far in Burkina Faso. 

 We express the hope that there will be a swift transition to a democratically elected government and that the authorities will continue to be guided by the urgency that emerges from the JNS study. 

Providing basic access to justice services is recognized by the Minister as an integral part of the policy to improve security. Looking ahead, HiiL will examine opportunities to lay the foundation for a people-centred justice programme in years to come.

What is people-centred justice?

People-centred justice (PCJ) is emerging as a concrete and systemic approach to (national) justice programming. Justice practitioners and sector innovators alike have identified the ‘enablers and impediments’ that support the successful implementation of PCJ which consists of five pillars: Gathering Data; Applying Best Practices; Scaling Game-changing service delivery models; Creating an Enabling Environment to sustain results; and Strengthening the Movement to solidify change. Taken together, the ambition is to ensure that justice sector professionals spend time and resources in ways that people expect and desire to ensure their justice needs are met.

Partners

Contact person

Britt van der Donk

Programme Director Mali, Niger & Burkina Faso

Further reading

Annual report and Accounts 2022: The path to people-centred justice

2022 was the year in which people-centred justice programming went from ‘How To Do It?’ to ‘Let’s Do It!’. We saw this shift as we worked together with justice practitioners on improving access to justice. In close partnership with the ministries of justice of Niger and Burkina Faso, we completed two new national Justice Needs and Satisfaction surveys.

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