Gender equity in food systems: shaping a fair future

Halamoussan Tamboué, a poultry farmer in Komsilga, Burkina Faso, has faced numerous challenges but has remained committed to building a better life for her family through farming. At 57, she is a widow and mother of five, and her story is one of determination, hard work, and adaptability.

Starting with small steps

Halamoussan’s entrepreneurial journey began when she sold fabrics to support her family. "For three years, I went to Bobo to buy fabrics that I placed on credit in Ouaga," she recalls. However, after becoming a mother, she had to stop this business to care for her newborn.

She later opened a kiosk in Ouaga 2000, selling sandwiches and juices, followed by another kiosk where she sold coffee and food to workers on construction sites. "Sometimes, I slept there to serve food to the workers who were watching over the construction sites," she remembers. Alongside her kiosks, Halamoussan also began poultry farming, starting with just one rooster and ten hens. Despite high chick mortality rates, she stayed focused on her business.

A journey of persistence

When Halamoussan lost her husband, she became the sole provider for her five children. “I faced a dilemma: close the kiosk, which was still generating profit, or devote myself to my children? The choice was quickly made, because now alone, and head of the family, I had to fight to ensure a future for my children,” she shares. With a heavy heart, she closed her kiosks, knowing her priority was her children’s future.

Focused on moving forward, Halamoussan ventured into pig farming, supported by a grant. However, without enough experience, the business was tough. "The piglets didn’t survive, and finding customers was a challenge," she says. She eventually decided to stop pig farming and return to poultry, a decision that would prove to be key in her journey.

Growing through training and support

With support from her children, Halamoussan started her poultry farm again in Komsilga. Though most of her chicks died, she didn't give up. “With the remaining chicks, I bought an incubator and introduced breeding roosters,” she explains. To boost her farm’s profitability, she adapted her methods, introducing improved local Noiler chickens, which led to increased productivity.

In time, Halamoussan joined the Komsilga poultry cooperative and participated in the Programme for the Promotion of Agricultural Entrepreneurship (PAPEA), which provided essential training for farmers. “My membership in the poultry cluster, facilitated by PAPEA, was an opportunity to strengthen my skills in livestock farming, financial management, business development, gender, and leadership. The technical training improved my knowledge of animal health and feeding practices, which helped reduce chick mortality,” she says.

Thanks to her participation in the Leadership for Change programme in 2022 and ongoing coaching, Halamoussan has gained greater control over her business. As a member of the PAPEA Women Leaders Pool, she engages with a community focused on gender equality, social inclusion, and women's economic empowerment, sharing experiences and learning from other leaders.

Today, Halamoussan’s business has expanded to include the processing of chicken, fish, beef, and mutton, diversifying her income sources. Her confidence has grown significantly. “Before the leadership training, I would hide at the back of the room during meetings, afraid to speak. Now, I confidently address large groups,” she says, proud of how far she’s come.

"We all need a helping hand. PAPEA extended its hand to me, and today, in all modesty, I can say that I am an accomplished female leader of PAPEA. I share my experiences and knowledge with other farmers, helping them grow and succeed. We must never give up in the face of adversity, because tomorrow will be better,” she says