Women discuss sustainable development

At least 200 women representatives of Malian non-governmental associations have met to discuss democracy and sustainable development in their country, at a conference that started on Wednesday. The four-day conference would also "confirm once more women support to the fundamental principles of democracy and sustainable human development," said Taore Oumou Toure, the outgoing executive secretary of the umbrella organisation of 775 women’s NGOs and associations, CAFO, which coordinated the conference. The participants would call for positive action to promote the cause of women instead of "slogans and declarations", Toure told IRIN. Toure said the conference would make concrete proposals for action, taking into account the work and experience of each participant, and would develop a frank and dynamic partnership for Malian women. It is also planned that the partner women’s associations and NGOs will elect new office bearers for CAFO, the membership of which includes organisations involved in justice, peace, economy, health, environment, politics, social culture, drama, education and decentralisation. Some 320 such NGOs exist in Bamako alone and CAFO says it has mobilised some 75,000 members on development issues. The coalition has also arranged for legal advice, funded women’s projects and helped 294 women get trading stalls in the new market at Bamako, the Les Halles de Bamako, according to Toure. The status of women in Mali has improved somewhat over the last few years and activists take pride that there are now 14 women in parliament and three in government. Years ago, it was difficult to openly talk about the promotion of women in Mali but "today the subject is no taboo," Toure told IRIN. However, "women still face a lot of difficulties: lack of financial resources, lack of highly qualified women, internal leadership wrangles, high illiteracy and low representation at decision-making levels," she added.