WOMEN 
ABOUT MALI
Women in Mali are strong and resilient, but they face many barriers and challenging odds.
Because women have limited opportunities in society, we believe they are one of Mali’s greatest untapped resources.
If we can engage and support women who are excluded from decision-making, the health and future of children, families, and communities will improve.
” Traditionally, a woman in labor is compared to a soldier on the front line. When she has delivered, she is considered victorious, but if she dies in labor, it is said of her that she died honorably on the battlefield. The delivery of a boy is announced as being ‘very good and double news,’ that of a girl, ‘good news.’ The death of a woman and of her baby boy is termed a ‘double and very bad’ announcement, while the death of a woman and of her baby girl is related as ‘double and bad.'”
– From L’etrange destin de Wangrin by Amadou Hampâté Bâ
CHALLENGES WOMEN FACE
In general, women in Mali do not have the opportunity to thrive:
182 of 189
Mali’s rank on the Human Development Index (HDI)
157 of 160
Mali’s rank on the Gender Inequality Index (GII)
They also struggle to access adequate healthcare, which leads to some of the most challenging outcomes in the world:
1 in 26
lifetime risk of maternal death
36%
of young women age 15 – 19 have a child or are pregnant
23.9%
unmet need for family planning
We are fortunate to work with strong, resourceful women across Mali.
Meet Korotoumou. She’s one of them, and she’s awesome. It’s women like her who are changing the outlook for women in Mali. Find out how.
She is also a member of one of our first cooperatives.
Mali Health improves maternal and child health by supporting women, communities, and the community health system to develop local solutions that ensure every mother and child has access to quality primary care.
US //
PO Box 51632, Durham, NC 27717
Mali //
Hamdallaye ACI 2000
Rue 100, Porte 222
Commune IV du District de Bamako
Côté Ouest de l’Ecole de Maintien de la Paix Alione Blondin Beye
info@malihealth.org
