Fatoumata Z Coulibaly | February 17, 2026
News Brief
In Bamako, young web activist Djelika Traoré uses social media to challenge taboos around menstruation and youth sexual and reproductive health. Through her Facebook page and organization, El’Protect Mali, she shares practical guidance on menstrual hygiene, debunks harmful myths, and promotes dignity and rights for girls. Drawing from personal experience, she addresses cultural silences that fuel stigma and risky practices. Her inclusive, youth-friendly content is helping adolescents—and parents—embrace menstruation as a natural, healthy part of life.
It is 4:00 p.m. in Bamako, the capital of Mali, and residents are wrapping up their daily activities before nightfall. Djelika Traoré, a young web activist sits at her computer, sharing her latest awareness posts on menstrual hygiene on her Facebook page, “El’Protect.” She provides guidance on using sanitary pads during the menstrual cycle, along with essential hygiene tips to follow during this time.
She is a passionate advocate for youth sexual and reproductive health and serves as the coordinator of “El’Protect Mali,” a youth organization committed to the well-being of adolescents and young people across the country. Through her social media presence, she challenges taboos by sharing accurate and reliable information on sexual and reproductive health.
Her goal is to deconstruct misconceptions about menstruation in Mali. She emphasizes that menstrual hygiene is a matter of health, dignity, and rights for women and adolescent girls. She says: “Periods are a natural phenomenon, and girls should neither be ashamed of them nor live them in silence.”
She shares that her commitment to menstrual hygiene education stems from personal experiences and the persistent silence around menstruation in Mali.
Today, she fights to change mindsets and behaviors around menstrual hygiene education through her platform “El’Protect,” where she publishes educational and awareness content for adolescents and youth. She explains: “These silences, often cultural or religious, create information gaps that expose adolescent girls to risky practices, discomfort, and stigmatization.”
On her Facebook page “El’Protect,” she addresses menstrual management openly, emphasizes the importance of intimate hygiene before, during, and after menstruation, and debunks false beliefs that still associate menstruation with impurity and other negatives. She has adopted an inclusive approach through various educational content, including audiovisual materials, testimonials, infographics, digital campaigns, and articles. She says, “Both girls and boys should be informed about menstruation to break stereotypes and promote better collective understanding.”
In some communities in Mali, a menstruating girl may be marginalized, prevented from cooking, or kept from appearing in public. Through her online and on-the-ground actions, she aims to improve adolescents’ and youths’ access to reliable menstrual hygiene information.
Beyond social media metrics like reach, shares, and comments, the impact of her work through “El’Protect” is most visible through the testimonials she receives. Many young girls express satisfaction and a desire to continue learning. She shares: “Some families even entrust their adolescents to me for educational support.”
Mariam Diarra, a mother, says her perspective on menstrual hygiene education has changed. She explains: “Before, I was ashamed to talk about periods with my daughters. Now, I understand that silence can harm them.”
Nabintou Diawara, a 16-year-old, attends the menstrual hygiene education sessions offered by the activist. She shares that, thanks to the guidance provided on social media, her hygiene habits have significantly improved. She says: “Before, I was ashamed to be in public when I had my period, but now I feel more confident.”
Her work impacts adolescents, young people, and even some parents on a daily basis. Through her platform, “El’Protect,” which boasts over 1,000 followers, she encourages girls to care for their bodies and understand that menstruation is a natural, healthy part of life. She concludes: “Our commitment is to make accurate information about menstruation available to encourage behavioral change.”
This resource was produced through the “HÉRÈ – Women’s Well-Being in Mali” initiative, which aims to improve the sexual and reproductive health well-being of women and girls and to strengthen the prevention of and response to gender-based violence in Sikasso, Ségou, Mopti, and the district of Bamako in Mali. The project is implemented by the HÉRÈ – MSI Mali Consortium, in partnership with Farm Radio International (RRI) and Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF) with funding from Global Affairs Canada.