President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi has registered to re-run in the upcoming election. After a ten-year rule in office, Nkurunziza has completed the two terms that the constitution allows for. After an ethnic civil war, an agreement was made to limit the presidency to two five-year terms.

Nkurunziza found a loophole and is eligible to run for a third term because technically, he was elected by parliament for his first term, not by the people.

Thousands have taken to the street in protest of his nomination, and over 50,000--mostly women and children-- have fled to neighboring countries in fear of violence breaking out.

This week, hundreds of women have set up protests and are receiving attention in the media. The reports state that women are joining the protests because they want peace and respect for the constitution, but there’s not too much detail given on why the female protests are particularly important.

Before the 2005 elections, and historically in Burundi, women have been limited to household tasks and aren’t considered equal to men. There is discriminatory legislation in place that holds women back, including laws that only allow inheritance to be passed from father to son.

The peacebuilding process became a catalyst for gender reform after a 12-year war. Burundi women took the opportunity to fight for their rights and demand a voice, as reforms were being discussed, known as the Arusha peace accords. While women were not given equal say in peace talks, the pressure led to the development of a national gender policy in 2003.

The 2005 elections became a chance for women to gain political power and establish a greater role in society. Out of 118 seats, 36 women won spots in Parliament, including the Head of Parliament position.

At this time, Nkurunziza was chosen as President and showed his commitment to women by electing seven female ministers (out of 20)  and four female governors (23% of provinces). He also appointed a woman as the Vice President of Socio-Economic Issues.

Women also gained momentum at the local level- obtaining positions in government within Burundi’s Communes. All in all, Burundi took huge steps forward for women’s rights in the peacebuilding process once conflict subsided. Now, ten years later, women are continuing to fight for their rights to see that the constitution is upheld and that all goals of the Arusha agreements are respected.

It is an abuse of power for Nkurunziza to seek a third term, no matter technicalities or the caliber of his leadership. The point is that the agreements made ten years ago should hold strong so that Burundi can maintain sustainable peace.