In Mali, religious leaders are committed against gender-based violence.
The Spotlight Initiative supports their involvement with communities for a change in social and gender norms.
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NEGUELA, Mali - One sunny afternoon, a group of men and women gather under the cooling shade of a large tree. They all settle in comfortably to listen attentively to Abdoulaye Cissé, the Imam of the Neguela Gare mosque, located in the Koulikoro region in southern Mali.
Imam Cissé, seated with his rosary in hand and wearing his white hat, dispenses advice on married life. As a respected figure in the community, he deconstructs certain misconceptions that tend to justify gender-based violence using religion. The Imam has committed himself to fighting gender-based violence in order to promote harmony in couples and to show the right path to his community.
"Before, divorces and violence towards women were commonplace here in Neguela. We have seen several cases where men beat their wives, but that is no longer the case nowadays thanks to the interventions of the Spotlight Initiative Program. Conflicts have decreased in the lives of couples in the area," explains Imam Abdoulaye Cissé.
In addition to Imam Abdoulaye Cissé, other religious leaders such as Pastor Abdias Traoré are committed to promoting the abandonment of gender-based violence and the respect of women’s and girls’ rights. Pastor Traoré actively raises awareness within the community and among believers about the negative consequences of child marriage during their moments of sharing.
Religious leaders play a crucial role, their advocacy for gender equality and the promotion of mutual respect is of paramount importance in a society where their word is listened to and respected. This is why the Spotlight Initiative supports their involvement with communities for a change in social and gender norms. Through sharing and exchange sessions with religious leaders.
In Mali, ⅔ of women identify religion as the main source of information and reference on their rights and according to the Demographic and Health Survey, dated 2018 (EDSM VI), 70% of women and 68% of men aged 15-49 believe that Female Genital Mutilation is a religious recommendation. Also, more than 5 out of 10 women aged 20 to 24 have been married before the age of 18, and 16% before the age of 15.
"Child marriage is not a good thing. We have seen several cases where the lives of some girls have been ruined because of marriages while they were still children. Therefore, we must respect the rights of each and every one by letting girls grow up and go to school," explains the Pastor with conviction, Bible in hand.
In Neguela, the advocacy of religious leaders is not limited to raising awareness, but also extends to mobilizing the community in the prevention of gender-based violence. They encourage men and women to actively engage in promoting healthy and equal relationships, emphasizing dialogue, mutual respect, and sharing of responsibilities within the couple and the family.
