Celebration of Female Strength in Sikasso

Every year, on March 8th, we enthusiastically celebrate International Women's Day, a time dedicated to honoring women and recognizing their invaluable contributions in all areas of life. On this special occasion, the UNICEF Representative in Mali visited women and adolescent girls who play a crucial role in the development of their communities. He therefore traveled to Sikasso, a city in Mali where women's dynamism is tangible.

Sikasso is a city where the land is as fertile as the minds of the women who live there. Here, every woman has a story, every adolescent girl is a chapter of the future being written with determination. Let's see how these agents of change, with whom UNICEF works, are shaping the face of their community and ensuring the well-being of every child.

Mabintou is an employee at the region's only one stop center dedicated to assisting victims of Gender-Based Violence (GBV). This center provides them with medical, legal, psychological, and protection support services in the strictest confidence. "Since the center opened its doors, we have recorded more than 500 cases, among which 35% involve adolescent girls and young women. For them, this place represents a true haven of peace and a lifeline of hope to heal their wounds and rebuild their lives," she testifies.

Saou, a dedicated member of the Committee of Urban Women, dedicates her days to a cause close to her heart: the relentless search for zero-dose children in the city of Sikasso. With unwavering determination and deep compassion for the youngest, she perseveres through the bustling arteries and winding neighborhoods of the city, driven by a vital goal: to ensure that every child, no matter where they live, can have access to complete vaccination protection. "Parents are often caught between the weight of traditions, economic constraints, and a lack of available information about the importance of vaccination. With patience and pedagogy, I work to deconstruct misconceptions, dispel fears, and weave bonds of solidarity between residents and health services," she explains.

In the heart of the village of Ziembougou, a dynamic is taking shape, driven by a leading figure in community engagement: N’gnèlè. In her struggle, N’gnèlè is not just a simple messenger. She is the symbol of a community that is awakening to autonomy, taking charge of its own health and nutritional destiny. It is thanks to people like her that the village of Ziembougou is witnessing a tangible evolution towards a future where each family is equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to raise their children in a healthy environment conducive to their full development. N’gnèlè is more than a member of the Support Group for Nutrition Activities: she is an educator, an inspiration, and a guardian of her village’s future. "We meet every week to carry out culinary demonstrations that are much more than just cooking workshops. These meetings are the living expression of the transmission of knowledge, where culinary tips, the valorization of local products, and nutritional balancing mingle, all under the banner of accessibility and simplicity," she tells.

The commitment of Fily (in the yellow scarf), the first midwife at the community health center (CSCOM) of Sanoubougou, Sikasso, goes beyond the walls of the delivery room. She engages in continuous education to remain at the forefront of obstetric practices, she participates in awareness programs to promote maternal and child health, and she works closely with doctors and other health professionals to create a safe and welcoming environment for the well-being of mother and child. "I do not just witness the birth; I actively participate in the blossoming of new families, ensuring that each child starts their journey in this world with the best chance of being healthy, and that every woman experiences childbirth with grace and dignity," she explains.

Within the village of Zaniena, a glimmer of hope shines forth thanks to the unwavering commitment of Alimatou, the advisor dedicated to girls' education. As a prominent member of the School Management Committee, she orchestrates with unshakeable passion and determination initiatives aimed at ensuring access to education for the young girls of her village, aware of the transformative impact this can have not only on their future but also on the overall societal evolution. Her daily work materializes through a series of strategic actions; first and foremost, she ensures to raise parents' awareness of the crucial importance of girls' education, breaking the chains of prejudice and combating the stereotypes that too often impede the educational journey of young girls. The challenges are numerous, but Alimatou's determination remains steadfast. "Every girl who stays in school is a promise for a better future, not only for herself but for the entire community of Zaniena," she explains. Her action is therefore an essential link in the fabric of education within the village, a daily fight for equity and the emancipation of girls through the liberating power of education.

At the heart of Sikasso Public High School No. 3, a young girl named Fatoumata Kouyaté stands as a symbol of excellence and inspiration for all her peers. At just 15 years old, this tenth-grade student does not merely walk the corridors of her school with the lightness characteristic of adolescence; she carves out a bright trail of success and determination. Indeed, Fatoumata, the top student in her class, embodies that Malian youth eager for knowledge and determined to fully exploit the potential that education holds. Her ambition, however, does not stop at the borders of her academic performance. She harbors the powerful dream of becoming a UNICEF Representative one day. This aspiration is fueled not only by a personal desire for success but also, and most importantly, by an altruistic vision: to actively support many schools throughout Mali and beyond. "My wish is for every child, no matter their background, to fully enjoy their right to education," she says. Her commitment is that of a generation that refuses to stand still and, by its example, aims to illuminate the paths of thousands of other children, showing them that with diligence and passion, the most noble dreams can indeed take shape. Fatoumata Kouyaté, through her exemplary journey, thus becomes a contagious source of inspiration that resonates far beyond the walls of her high school; she is a guiding star, a reassuring role model, and a galvanizing reference point, embodying with conviction the belief that youth is the catalyst for change.

Located in the south of Mali, the Sikasso region, nicknamed "the breadbasket of Mali," is a true stronghold of Malian agriculture, where the fertility of the soils and the mild climate contribute to the diversity and abundance of agricultural production. For Madam the Governor of Sikasso, Kanté Marie-Claire Dembélé, it is essential to enhance local production, not only to promote economic development and the resilience of rural communities but also to work towards food self-sufficiency for the region, and possibly the entire country. "It is the duty of everyone, local actors and national or international partners, to support these dedicated farmers. By enhancing local agricultural products through initiatives for in-situ processing, facilitating access to markets, and investing in suitable agricultural infrastructure, we can not only guarantee food security but also stimulate a dynamic and self-sufficient local economy." Thus, the vision of Madam the Governor of Sikasso challenges us all: valuing the breadbasket of Mali means recognizing and reinforcing the central role of these women and men who, every day, shape the food future of the country and the region, while contributing to the preservation of their rich terroir.

Here at the Cicaara youth center, rehabilitated by UNICEF, there are about thirty young people and adolescents trained to promote peace and social cohesion. Here at the Voice of the Youth radio, they host shows where they talk about the importance of peace and social cohesion, but also about the major problems hindering the development and fulfillment of youth, including the lack of schooling for girls, labor in gold mining sites, and the consumption of narcotics. "The lack of schooling for girls remains an issue because many parents think that a girl should stay at home, do household chores, and prepare for her future household."

However, beyond words and airwaves, what the Cicaara youth center and the "Voice of the Youth" radio embody above all is a glimmer of hope. "These young people, through their unwavering commitment, show that change is possible, that every voice counts, and that, hand in hand, they can build a more just, supportive, and peaceful society. They are the living example that the youth are not just the future, but also the active and vibrant present of a world aspiring to a better tomorrow," concludes Pierre Ngom, the UNICEF Representative in Mali.

"It is by sharing these experiences, these life stories, that we can help raise awareness and mobilize support for the cause of girls and women. Recognizing their essential role is a step further towards a world where equality is not just an ideal to strive for, but a daily reality. On March 8th, and every day that follows, we are called upon to celebrate these women, to support their ambitions, and to honor their unwavering contribution to building a better future for present and future generations."