Mali

Mali is situated in the heart of West Africa, with a quarter of its land covering the Sahara Desert. It is one of the poorest countries in the world. Mali’s poverty is often attributed to its geographic location as an enclave in the middle of West Africa suffering from particularly harsh climatic conditions. However, these natural factors only partly explain the poverty and the resultant trend of significant migratory flows. With 5.5 million heads of cattle, Mali has great potential within agriculture and livestock breeding. In the south of the country, cotton-growing (white gold) is the major source of revenue. The production of cotton has not decreased that of food, but intensive farming damages the soil and contributes to increasing desertification. Around 10% of the 12 million inhabitants, and 80% of the farmers, are nomads. Approximately one third of the population has access to medical facilities and clean drinking water. Half of the population is under 15-years of age. On average, girls marry at the age of 16.

Facts and figures:
Surface area: 1'248'574 sq km
Population: 12.3 million (march 2008)
Capital: Bamako
Urban population: 31%
Population growth: 2.68% per annum
Under 5 mortality: 231 per 1'000 live births
Infant mortality: 141 per 1'000 live births
Maternal mortality: 580 per 100'000 births
Fertility rate: 7,38 births per woman
Life expectancy: 49,5 years
Illiteracy rate - women: 60,4%
Illiteracy rate - men: 46,5%
Religion: 90% Muslim, 9% traditional religions

Action against female genital mutilation
This project is part of a framework of actions working against harmful medical practices in Mali. Its objective is to lead the population to an understanding of female circumcision as an act of violation. More

Action against maternal and infant malnutrition
This project works to reduce malnutrition through combating vitamin, iron and iodine deficiencies. Awareness-raising activities are intended to cause changes to people’s dietary habits. More

Action against the exploitation of young domestic staff
All over the world millions of young girls work as domestic employees, without contracts and for a minimum wage. The exploitation of such children is the focus of this project. More

Fistula: a risk during childbirth
Lesions called fistulas result from complicated labour and are characterised by a tear between the vagina and the rectum or the bladder. Women thus become incontinent: incapable of controlling the flow of their urine and faeces. More

Strengthen the professional competencies of our partners
Due to their role as primary stakeholders in their countries’ development, IAMANEH works through local partner organisations. More

Rubbish gets children sick: The fight against infant mortality
Kalabancoro, situated in the outskirts of Bamako, is growing rapidly and its urbanisation is unregulated. As a result people suffer from pollution. More

School promotion program for girls
A school promotion program for girls in the Pelengana district was initiated. More

Information campaign for female circumcision
Questions concerning sexuality are taboo in Mali, even though sexually transmitted diseases are widespread, family planning nearly non-existent and the majority of women circumcised. Goal of this project is to inform and sensitise juveniles, women and female circumcisers to superordinate topics of reproductive health in general and the consequences of female circumcision in particular. More