Issa Togola | December 18, 2025
News Brief
In Wolofobougou, a neighborhood in Bamako, young people are breaking taboos around sexual health education through peer-led discussions. Trained by the Association of Youth for Citizenship and Democracy, youth ambassador Fatimata Dao now leads conversations on STIs, contraception, and menstrual health in public spaces and schools. These efforts help counter myths, stigma, and misinformation that prevent adolescents from accessing reliable information. Despite social resistance, such initiatives are empowering young people to speak openly, make informed choices, and improve their sexual and reproductive well-being.
It is 5 p.m. in Wolofobougou, a neighborhood in the heart of Bamako, Mali. On a sports training ground, young people are playing a basketball game. Nearby, Fatimata Dao, a young woman in her twenties, and some of her peers are gathered to discuss their topic of the day: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). She says, “Before, I saw discussions about sexual education as taboo. But today, I see it as a necessity and a solution.”
Miss Dao believes that many young people in Wolofobougou still hold negative views toward peers who openly discuss these issues in public, judging the approach as improper. She adds that shyness and fear of judgment from others also prevent many young people from accessing accurate information.
Miss Dao explains that before opening up to youth sexual education issues, she relied on the internet or certain friends for information because there was no discussion on the subject at home. Parents often believe that talking to children about sexuality would expose them to early sexual activity or immorality. She recalls, “I lacked guidance and didn’t know how to approach the topic with an adult.”
In February 2021, Miss Dao was selected to participate in an information and awareness program organized by the Association of Youth for Citizenship and Democracy (AJCAD) on youth sexual health education at their training center. The program covered several topics, from physical, mental, and emotional well-being related to sexuality among young people and adolescents, to contraception and sexual violence. She says, “With this training, I am no longer ashamed to talk about sexual health with those around me. It has strengthened my self-esteem.”
Following this training, Miss Dao became an AJCAD ambassador, working to combat stereotypes, myths, and misinformation about youth sexual health education, particularly for adolescents. She educates and trains other young people on menstrual management and the importance of using contraception. She regularly leads sessions at her training center, at schools, and in other public spaces.
Today, Miss Dao discusses sexual health with her peers with ease. She explains that through these conversations, young people no longer view the subject as taboo. They are increasingly willing to talk with one another and with adults.
Soumaila Moro is an expert in sexual and reproductive health. He says that sexual education for young people and adolescents involves providing them with the cognitive and practical tools they need for their sexual and reproductive well-being. He adds that this is crucial for young people seeking reliable information to support their well-being.
Mr. Moro notes that despite efforts, society still holds negative perceptions about discussions on sexual health with youth. He cites the example of the Association of Parents of Students of Mali, which rejected the introduction of sexual education in school curricula in 2018, calling it contrary to traditions. He sees this societal reluctance as a major challenge and regrets that some parents still view young people’s pursuit of accurate sexual health information—or their public discussion of it—as a sign of carelessness and parental failure.
Despite these challenges, Miss Dao remains undeterred. She proudly announces that she has supported more than 2,000 young people and adolescents in their well-being. Among them is Idrissa Coulibaly, a 17-year-old who does not hide his satisfaction. He says, “I now feel much safer because I know where and how to find information.”
For Miss Dao, the fight must continue for these young sisters who need to thrive. She concludes, “We must inform and train young people so that they know how to find help and reliable information. This is how we can ensure their well-being and restore confidence and hope to youth.”
This resource was produced thanks to the “HÉRÈ – Bien-être des femmes au Mali” initiative, which aims to improve the well-being of women and girls in the area of sexual and reproductive health and to strengthen the prevention of and response to gender-based violence in the regions of Sikasso, Ségou, Mopti and the district of Bamako in Mali. The project is being implemented by the HÉRÈ – MSI Mali Consortium, in partnership with Farm Radio International (FRI) and Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF), with funding from Global Affairs Canada.