Audio By Carbonatix
Burundi’s First Lady Denise Nkurunziza has released a song to campaign against the abuse women face when they cannot get pregnant.
The video clip opens with a scene of a wife welcoming her husband home and inviting him to eat dinner, only to be spat at and beaten up by him.
"You are of no use in this house," he says.
"Your belly is always full of beans, while other women’s bellies are full of babies."
Mrs Nkurunziza, 49, then intervenes, walking into the childless couple’s sitting room.
She strikes a conciliatory tone, explaining: "You only know for sure about infertility after seeing the doctor.
"Infertility can happen to men or women."
In the next scene, the first lady then breaks into song, dancing alongside other dancers and musicians.
"Women are not created just to be called mothers. They are capable of much more," the chorus goes.
Mrs Nkurunziza, who has been married to President Pierre Nkurunziza since 1994, called on husbands to support their wives.
"Fertility involves two people and infertility should not be a source of conflict," she sings.
The first couple, who have five children together and have adopted several others, are known to be religious and regularly organise prayer gatherings.
Mrs Nkurunziza, who once worked as an immigration officer, is an ordained pastor.
Her newly released song - Umukenyezi Arengeye Kuvyara Gusa (A Woman is More than Just Giving Birth) - which was shared on WhatsApp earlier this week seems to be the first time she has sung in a secular video. Mrs Nkurunziza has sometimes featured in religious tracks, featuring a church choir.
The four-minute plus video has also been shared on Facebook:
The first lady has won praise from many on social media for the message in her latest video, though some have said men can also face abuse from their spouses.
In Burundi’s patriarchal society, couples are made to feel ashamed if they do not have children - and their infertility is usually blamed on the woman.
Some couples even break up as a result.
Mrs Nkurunziza, who has been married to President Pierre Nkurunziza since 1994, called on husbands to support their wives.
"Fertility involves two people and infertility should not be a source of conflict," she sings.
The first couple, who have five children together and have adopted several others, are known to be religious and regularly organise prayer gatherings.
Mrs Nkurunziza, who once worked as an immigration officer, is an ordained pastor.
Her newly released song - Umukenyezi Arengeye Kuvyara Gusa (A Woman is More than Just Giving Birth) - which was shared on WhatsApp earlier this week seems to be the first time she has sung in a secular video. Mrs Nkurunziza has sometimes featured in religious tracks, featuring a church choir.
The four-minute plus video has also been shared on Facebook:
The first lady has won praise from many on social media for the message in her latest video, though some have said men can also face abuse from their spouses.
In Burundi’s patriarchal society, couples are made to feel ashamed if they do not have children - and their infertility is usually blamed on the woman.
Some couples even break up as a result.DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Chornobyl – An explosion that has lasted 40 years
43 minutes -
Hitz FM hosts maiden edition of ‘My Hustle’ to empower young entrepreneurs
46 minutes -
Founding UGMC CEO Dr Osei reveals how his life transformed after living with his soldier uncle
1 hour -
Suspect in custody after shooting at White House Correspondents’ Dinner
3 hours -
‘I thought he was my father until 16’ — Dr Darius Osei shares emotional childhood story
3 hours -
Switzerland backs Morocco’s autonomy plan as ‘most credible’ path to resolve Sahara dispute
3 hours -
‘Medicine was never the plan’ — Dr Darius Osei opens up on journey from childhood to medical leadership
4 hours -
Sesi-Edem lawyers debunk claims of expired injunction against EOCO
4 hours -
No abuse of power: EOCO leadership survives petition from Council of State member’s legal team
5 hours -
Widespread blackouts hit 3 regions after Akosombo substation fire
5 hours -
From Efiase to SECOBOR: Rev. Wengam leads fresh charge to secure Ghana’s borders
5 hours -
Landguards stab resident at gov’t project site in Awutu Oshimpo
6 hours -
US-Iran peace hopes fade as Trump scraps talks
6 hours -
GPHA shuts down Kpone Terminal following fierce freight-forwarder protests
7 hours -
Wanderlust Ghana targets another history-making journey from Accra to Toronto by road
7 hours