Koudougou:Abdoulaye Boumba successfully defended his doctoral thesis on Thursday at Norbert-Zongo University (UNZ) in Koudougou, focusing on the Catholic Church's contribution to the emancipation of women in the Nakambé region. His work, which earned him the highest distinction, examined the evolution of women's status and the Church's efforts in promoting gender equality from 1900 to 2025.

According to Burkina Information Agency, Boumba's research highlighted the limited focus of previous studies on the specific impact of the Catholic Church on women's emancipation, despite its well-documented contributions to education and health. He noted that the arrival of missionaries led to significant changes in the societal roles and perceptions of women.

Boumba emphasized the Church's initiatives in providing vocational training and promoting gender equality, urging their recognition in academic research beyond the religious denomination. Professor Salifou Idani, his thesis director, praised the study as a valuable contribution to historical science in Burkina Faso, especially given the ongoing relevance of gender equality discussions.

Dr. Maxime Relwindé Compaoré, chairman of the jury, commended the research for its insights into the evolving perception of women and the Catholic Church's role in this process. He encouraged Boumba to explore certain aspects further. Boumba expressed hope that his findings would inform public policy, particularly in supporting women and training young girls in vulnerable situations.

The jury evaluating Boumba's thesis included esteemed academics such as Maxime Relwindé Compaoré, Zara Dao, Drissa Koné, Serge Noël Ouédraogo, and Salifou Idani.