Mali: Young girls avoid forced marriage thanks to awareness-raising efforts

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Komolazanfina is a traditional Bamanan village in Mali, known for its strong attachment to customs and traditions.It is located 35 kilometres from Markala, in Mali. Marama Singaré, 27, returns from the market this evening with a pile of kitchen utensils balanced on her head. Beaming with joy, she says, “I am preparing for my wedding with the man I chose.”

A few months ago, her father, Sitman Singaré, wanted to force her to marry a man of his choosing. But Ms. Singaré had the support of her mother, Kadidia Singaré, who had participated in educational sessions on the consequences of forced marriage organized by the ‘Men for Women’ club. This is a club that advocates for the rights of young girls in Mali. Mrs. Singaré contacted the club’s president, who, accompanied by several village elders, met with Mr. Singaré to persuade him to change his mind. They relied on examples of failed forced marriages that had led to conflicts between families within the community.

In Komolazanfina, men wrongly believe that marriages based on a young woman’s free choice are doomed to fail because they lack parental blessing. They feel that such unions lack respect and dignity. In contrast, marriages between cousins chosen by parents are believed to strengthen family alliances. Ms. Singaré explains, “If parents believe that the suitor from the village is respectful and works hard in the fields, the girl no longer has a say.”

However, Mr. Singaré sees things differently after meeting with the club. The thought of seeing his daughter suffer in a household she did not choose convinced him. He says the decision was not easy. Mr. Singaré adds, “In the village, some people say I am irresponsible and that I let my wife run the household. But I want my daughter’s happiness.” Today, Ms. Singaré is preparing to marry Amadou Traoré, the man she freely chose.

Mamadou Bagayoko is the program manager at the Regional Directorate for the Promotion of Women, Children, and the Family. He estimates that, on average, there are three cases of forced marriage in the village, with the number increasing, particularly as collective weddings approach. This underscores how deeply the community remains attached to the practice.

Mr. Bagayoko believes that only awareness-raising can lead communities to abandon this practice. He says, “We must continue awareness efforts, equip young people, women, community leaders, and especially religious leaders, to tell them that it is the girl who should choose her partner for her own happiness.”

Karime Keita is the president of the “Men for Women” club. He says that thanks to the club’s actions, attitudes are beginning to change in Komolazanfina. This year, about ten young girls were saved from forced marriage through awareness activities. He adds that since 2021, the club has raised awareness among more than 100 people. Mr. Keita states, “I engage in direct dialogue with parents. I explain to them that this will make their daughter unhappy.” For him, forced marriages affect the mental and emotional health of young people, who carry these scars throughout their lives.

Mr. Keita believes that forced marriage is one of the causes of girls dropping out of school. It exposes them to early pregnancies and makes them vulnerable and economically dependent on their husbands.

Although the practice of forced marriage persists in Komolazanfina, Ms. Singaré is among the luckiest thanks to the “Men for Women” club, which was able to convince her father. She hopes that other young girls will have the same opportunity through the club’s efforts. Ms. Singaré concludes, “The man I love has already brought the kola nuts, and I can’t wait to marry him. I’ve never been happier!”

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.