the W.O.M.A.N. foundation

Mali

Zach Asuncion•Gabby ArevaloFelicia Mateo•Chris Jimenez•

Country Developement Plan

Mali

Mali is located in the North West of Africa. Over 40% of the country is desert, and the rest is not suitable for agricul-ture. It has a dry atmosphere and lacks rain. Mali has two main languages. One is French, which is the official language, and the other is Bambara. About 90% of the people in Mali are Muslim, 5% are Christian, and the others are animist believers. Mali gained its independence on September 22, 1960 from the French. Mali’s natural

resources are gold, phos-phate, kaolin, salt, lime stone, uranium, gypsum, granite and hydropower. The envi-ronmental issues in Mali are deforestation, desertification, soil erosion, drought, and not enough potable water.

Women in Mali are more likely to be poor. According to sta-tistics, women also do more work. They only earn 10% of Mali’s income, and they work 2/3 of the working hours. Domestic violence is the big-

gest cause of injury and death to women in Mali. Female genital mutilation is also com-mon. Children do not receive protection against traficking and have a high mortality rate. 2/3 of the children denied an education are girls. The most critical human rights issue is about women.

So what we want to do is make a shelter for the women, where they can get away from their abusive husbands, and segregated environment, and

also help them by teaching them to be literate and stand up for themselves. Women would be learning primary skills and also some craft skills that they could use to start a business. We will also be expecting the women to bring their children and we will have teachers so that the children will not be losing any education. Another thing we would have for the children is a daycare.

What we hope to do by doing

this is have the women be better educated and be able to stand up for themselves. Then, in the long run, more women could join the govern-ment or start an association that will bring women equality and better treatment.

Executive Summary

Mali

Before imperialism in Mali, it was once part of the three famed West African empires which controlled trans-Sa-haran trade in gold, salt, slaves, and other precious commodities. Mali expanded throughout West Africa from the 8th century until 1078, when it was conquered by a dynasty of Sahara, the Al-moravids. The empire of Mali later formed on the upper Niger river. It reached height of power in the fourteenth century. Later, the empire de-clined mainly because of the

Songhai empire. The French started coming into Mali around 1880. Ten years later, the French tried to occupy everything within Mali. A French civilian governor was selected in 1893, but the resistance to French control didn’t end until 1898. Mali was just one of many other colonial territories the French managed as the Federation of French West Africa. In 1904 the land of Mali became a colony. By 1905, most of the area was under French con-

trol. It was named the French Sudan in 1920, and became part of the French Union in 1946. While the French were in Mali, they had some positive and some negative effects. One of the positive effects is that the French built roads for transportation of goods to the sea in Mali. They also constructed railways. Another positive effect was that the cotton production succeeded. Although there were some positive effects, there were

many more negative effects. Malian farmers were forced to sell their land to the colonial government. Because there was no stability of govern-ment, the people of Mali were turned into refugees. The French officials pressured the workers for more production. Farmers could hardly earn their living. And last, the coun-try was going towards poverty and famine. By 1959, Mali and Senegal came together to become the Mali Federation. Together,

they gained independence from France on June 20, 1960. After that, Senegal separated from the federa-tion in August 1960, which allowed the Sudanese Repub-lic to form the independent nation of Mali on September 22, 1960. Modibo was the first president, and made a one party state. He then started owning the economic resources. In November 1968, Keïta’s leadership was overthrown in a military coup led by Moussa Traore. Traore attempted to reform the

economy, but it didn’t happen because of a drought bewt-ween 1968 to 1974, that killed a lot of people from famine. They continued to attempt economic reforms. In 1991, anti-government protests led to a coup and a new consti-tution. When Alpha Oumar Konare got reelected as the president, he pushed through political and economic re-forms and fought corruption in 1997. Today, Mali is one of the most politically and socially stable countries in Africa.

Historical Narrative

Mali Timeline11th centuryEmpire of Mali becomes dominant force in the upper Niger basin, its period of greatness beginning under King Sundiata in 1235 and peaking under Mansa Musa who ruled be-tween 1312 and 1337 and extended empire to the Atlantic. 14th-15th centuriesDecline of the Empire of Mali, which loses dominance of the gold trade to the Songhai Empire, which makes its base in Timbuktu - historically important as a focal point of Islamic culture and a trading post on the trans-Saharan caravan route. Late 16th centuryMoroccans defeat the Songhai, make Timbuktu their capital and rule until their decline in the 18th century. 19th centuryFrench colonial advance, and Islamic religious wars which lead to creation of theocratic states. 1898France completes conquest of Mali, then called French Sudan. 1959Mali and Senegal form the Mali Federation, which splits a year later. 1960Mali becomes independent with Modibo Keita as president. It becomes a one-party, so-cialist state and withdraws from the Franc zone. 1968Keita ousted in coup led by Lieutenant Moussa Traore. 1979New constitution provides for elections; Traore re-elected president. 1991Traore deposed in coup and replaced by transitional committee.

1992Alpha Konare wins multiparty elections to become Mali’s first democratically-elected presi-dent. 1995Peace agreement with Tuareg tribes leads to return of thousands of refugees. 2000 FebruaryKonare appoints former International Monetary Fund official Mande Sidibe prime minister. 2002 AprilAmadou Toumani Toure elected president by landslide. Poll is marred by allegations of fraud. 2002 SeptemberFrance says it will cancel 40% of debts owed to it by Mali, amounting to some 80m euros ($79m, £51m). 2004 AprilPrime Minister Mohamed Ag Amani resigns and is replaced by Ousmane Issoufi Maiga. 2007 AprilPresident Toure wins a second five-year term in elections. 2007 AugustSuspected Tuareg rebels abduct government soldiers in separate incidents near the Niger and Algerian borders. 2009 AugustNew law boosts women’s rights, prompts some protests. 2010 MarchAlicia Gamez, a Spanish woman kidnapped in Mauritania last year by al-Qaeda in the Is-lamic Maghreb, has been freed in Mali.

MDGoals

Goal 1: Eradicate extreme hunger and poverty

Proportion of population below $1 (PPP) per day 36.1%

Children under 5 moderatly or severly underweight 33.2%

Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education

Primary education completion rate 49%

Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women

Seats held by women in national parliament 10.2%

Women in nonagricultural sector 35%

Goal 4: Reduce child mortality

Children under five mortality rate per 1,000 live births 217

Children 1 year old immunized agains measles 86%

Goal 5: Improve maternal health

Maternal mortality ratio per 100,000 live births 970

Goal 6: Combating disease

Tuberculosis prevalence rate per 100,000 population 578.2

People living with HIV, 15-49 years old 1.5%

Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability

Land area covered by forest 10.3%

Proportion of population using improved drinking water sources 60%

Proportion of population using an improved drinking water source 78%

In Mali’s process of achieving there goals they have fallen short of there goals they have a ways to go they have below 50 percent of the country living off of below one us dollar a day. The same goes for there primary school plan that is at 43 percent they have to figure out a way to get more students to attend school so that they may complete a full course. Thankfully the ratios of girls to boys is high 87 percent, but in parliament its a low percentage 10%. Not only is getting women a better education and more seats in government one of there main priority’s but also reducing child mortality. Child mortality under five has been re-duced to 54% and immunization against measles have gone up to 87%. They have improved

Summary

Mali

According to the U.S Depart-ment of human rights, Mali’s government respects the decisions the citizens make on human rights. Violence against women including spousal abuse was tolerated and common in Mali. Spou-sal abuse is a crime, you get punished in prison for one to five years and they fine you with $1,000 or ten years in im-prisonment. However, women hesitated to make a com-plaint about their husbands because of the fact that they

didn’t have enough money to support themselves. In Mali, prostitution is legal because the law does not directly specify sexual harassment, so it occurred constantly. When women were attacked where child custody, divorce or inherited rights were involved in a family, family law favored the men. Due to woman’s lack of information and education, woman’s legal services were limited. For example, woman had to pay $60 to start pro-cess, if they wanted a divorce.

Children Rights: The government provided welfare and rights for children. Education was open and free to everyone, however boys percentage was higher than girls in enrollment. The gov-ernment provides children and also adults with medical care, it is distributed equally amongst all citizens. Abuse of children, though common, is rarely officially reported. Female genital mutilation was common, this happened to

girls in the ages between 6 months and 6 years. They were legalized to marry at age 15 if their parents ap-proved, and men at age 21. Some families arranged mar-riages for girls at the age of 9. The Law Prohibits trafficking in children, but not in adults. most trafficking occurred within the country. Children were bought and forced to work in rice fields in central regions. Boys were bought and forced to work in mines in

the south; girls were bought for involuntary domestic ser-vices. Children were mainly trafficked for agriculture work, domestic servitude, gold min-ing, begging, and prostitution. Civil Liberties :There was no specific law protecting the rights of per-sons with disabilities in em-ployment, education, access to health care, or in the provi-sion of other state services; however, the government did not discriminate against per-

sons with disabilities. The Right of Association:The law allows workers to form or join a union of their choice. The only people that were prohibited to not form or join a union were the military, and the National guard. LGBT rights in Mali:( lesbian, Gay, BIsexual, Transgender) persons in Mali may have to go through legal challenges. Neither male or female same sex is prohibited

Human Rights

Mali

in Mali. Public laws may be used against LGBT persons. A percentage of 98 people in mali said that homosexuality should be rejected by society. There are no laws against Homosexuality. Same-sexual activity is legal. There is no legal protection agaiinst dis-crimination that has to do with sexual orientation. Freedom of Speech and PressThe law and the constitu-tion provided for Freedom of speech and of the press, the

government had limited press freedom during the year.Many people criticized the govern-ment, and they had no other choice, but to put up with all the criticism. Freedom of AssemblyThe constition and law pro-vide for the freedom of as-sembly, the government highly respected this law. Freedom of ReligionThe constution and law Pro-vide the people with freedom

of religion. The people in order to have freedom of reli-gion, they had to register. Political RightsThe constitution and law provide citizens with the right to change their government in peace. They had fair elec-tions. They also practiced this right for free, based on the in-versal suffrage.Political parties normally operated wothout restrictions. Protection of Refugees

The government has made a system that provides protec-tions to refugees. The govern-ment also provides protec-tion against refoulement. The committee in charge of refu-gees worked with institutional assistance for Refugees. Government Corruption and TransperancyThe law provides criminal penalties for official corrup-tion. The constitution required cabinet members so submit to the supreme court to file

a written decleration and a financial statement of their earnings. This information was not publp-=ic. If the person refuses to give information, the person questioning can appeal to an admininstrative court, which must be handled immediately within three months. DiscriminationThe constitution and law prohibits discrimination that has to do with social origin,sex,language,color,or race.

Violence and discrimination is a problem. But, there was dis-crimination based on sexual orientation and persons with HIV/AIDS.

Human Rights

Mali

-The major environmental problem in Mali is the increasing desertification of the country. Soil erosion, deforestation, and loss of pastureland pose additional problems for the environment. Mali also has an inadequate water supply: only 74% of city dwellers and 61% of people living in rural areas have access to pure water -The nation’s wildlife is threatened by drought, poaching, and the destruction of the environ-ment. Mali has a national park and four animal reserves -industry in Mali is basically geared to the importation of raw materials, semi-finished products and spare parts, which tends to increase the harmful effects of an unsound use of chemical products -Air pollution is caused by industrial activities, by heating systems (smoke) and motor vehicle traffic

-Mali is a country that depends on agro-pastoral activities. Rural area occupy over 95% of the national territory. The most dangerous pollutions in regard to the environment are: . Pollution of soil and foodstuffs caused by the use of pesticides and fertilizers. Pollution caused by solid and liquid waste.. Air pollution caused by smoke -Mali animals are mostly of the sub Saharan type because of the geographical location of Mali-Some of the major Mali animals include:Lemurs, Crocodiles, Meerkat, Ball Pythons, Mandrill Baboons, Warthogs, Rock Pythons,Giant Pangolins, Elephant, Leopard, Bush Baby, Giraffes, African Lions, Chimpanzee,Hippopotamus, Dromedary Camels, Black Rhinoceros, Spotted Hyenas.

Environmnental Status

Mapof Mali

Cotton

Desert

Semi Desert

Grasslands

Lakes/Rivers

Capital

Gold

Semi Grassland

TombouctouNiger

Hombori Tondo

Mopti

Bamako

Sikasso

Kayes

Adrar des lfora

Kidal

Gao

This map shows all the cities and resources in Mali. One half of the country is desert. There is very little land suitable for agriculture.

Timbuktu, a city in Mali, is the home to Sankore University.

Mali

Women in Mali are not treated equal. They suffer major abus-es from their spouses in the form of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and financial abuse. They don’t have enough money to sup-port themselves. They also lack education. Women hesitate to file com-plaints against their spouses, even if they are beaten or otherwise abused. Spousal abuse is a crime. For punish-ment men go to prison for

1-5 years and they are fined $1,000. However, very few women report spousal abuse crimes. Research shows that although there are laws that protect women, in reality the police and government often side with the abusers. Women are scared to come forward. They are afraid they will be abused more severely if they try to get help from the police. 88% of women are illiterate. Many do not know there are laws that protect them.

Women are not allowed to sit in the same table as their husband to eat dinner. Values have showed men to be head of the families, therefore the head is the only one allowed to make a decision that are based on marriage and di-vorce issues. Women in Mali do not attend school as often as men. This means fewer women know how to read and write, They have fewer opportunities be successful. If they are unedu-

cated they can’t start a busi-ness. An average women in Mali works for 7 hours a day and spends 10 hours doing chores at home; yet they are still not treated fairly. They do not get paid for their work, and they are prohibited to go to public places. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) was common mainly in rural areas. It happened to girls in between the ages of six months and six years. Statistics show that approxi-

mately 95 percent of women had been through FGM. Mutilation happened to most ethnic groups, but it was not based on religion. There are no laws prohibiting Genital mutilation for woman. The law criminalizes Rape. A small percent of rape cases were reported. because they didn’t have enough money to sup-port themselves. Again the law does not prohibit domes-tic violence. Women in Mali often live un-

der harsh conditions, where they take part in difficult farm work and do most of the par-enting on their own. Despite giving women equal rights regarding property, traditional practice and ignorance of the law prevent women from being reformed. Women’s access to employment and to economic and educational opportunities was limited.

Description of Need

Mali

The W.O.M.A.N (Woman of Mali Act Now) Foundation is going to build a shelter for survivors of domestic abuse. It will be located in the capital city of Mali, Bamako. Statis-tics show that 39% of women in mali are being abused by their Spouses. our shelter will give women immediate secu-rity. Also that women will have the choice whether to stay or leave their abusive homes and be brought into our shelter. They will have ability to bring their children in, and we will

give them a room with secu-rity. A nurse will be attending the women in case they come in with any wounds or broken bones. There will be teachers hired to teach these people all sorts of things. We will teach the women what abuse is, and explain to them that it is not right and that it is not their fault. We’ll teach them about financial, physical, emotional, sexual abuse, and the cycle of violence. Here we will help

women speak on their behalf and help them speak up for their restraining orders that they should have. Woman in marriage will be helped with divorce, or child custody, and make sure that the govern-ment does not take advantage of them. We will help them with any cost of financial pa-per work. We will have classes that will inspire the woman to do something about being un-equal. We’ll have classes for

self defense. We will train the woman how to be liter-ate in order for them be able to stand up for themselves and know how to start their own business. After we start increasing these woman’s knowledge they will be given the opportunity to have a stable job. They will be held in our shelter for about 6 months to a year. The children that are brought into our shelter will have a class that will also teach them

about Abusive concepts. As the children grow up, they will already have in mind what it is to be abused or feel abused. We believe that since these kids are the future, and that they shall be taught intellectu-ally. This way the percentage in abusive relationships will decrease in the next genera-tion. Therefore in the com-ing years they wont have to deal with all the struggle that their parents or their relatives went through. We have to do something about these ma-

lians rights , otherwise they will still be victims of domestic violence. while woman are being held in these shelters, there will also be a school for these children so that they could learn their the basics of education, so not only will they be taught about violence issues, but they will also be taught curricular materials.

Project Proposal

Project

Year 1 -Find a good place where our shelter will be located -Gather all materials needed -Build the shelter -Hire teachers, security, and child care providers, counselors, nurses -Each the workers french and other Malian languages

Year 2 -Advertise and let the word out in a discreet way -Start bringing in Women and children -Start intensive counseling for women and children -Job training, and basic education for children

Year 3 -Women are going to start reentering the community -They will be able to find jobs, take care of their children, be independent

Year 5 -Our service will be having the women coming in and out of our center. -Women that come out of our center will be successful and we would have more help from previous clients.

ImplementationImpactAnalysis

Positives; -Wives of abusive husbands will be away from the abuse. -Women and children will have a better life. -Children will learn basic eduction in a safe environment. -Women will learn transferable skills that will help them in jobs they may have once out of our facility. -Women will becom more independent.

Negatives; -Government may not approve of it. -Husbands would not like having their wives and children leaving them. -Husbands could start looking for us to take wives and children back. -Some women my revert to their old life with abusive spouse.

Summary; There are many positives and negatives to our plan of action if careered out. The negatives of our plan are thatwe will anger many people, mainly husbands, and with that in mind we may have the problem of husbands searching for our center to take back there wives and children. Positives of our plan are that we will help women become more independent so that they may have equal rights in society.