Mali Marks International Women’s Day with Focus on Justice Reforms and Gender Equality

Bamako, April 9, 2026 - Mali has marked International Women’s Day with a high-level ceremony dedicated to strengthening women’s access to justice and advancing gender equality reforms within the national legal system. Organized at the Ministry of Justice conference room, the event featured a conference on women’s and girls’ access to justice, highlighting the implementation of the ministry’s newly adopted gender strategy. The Minister of Justice, Mamoudou Kassogué, presented ongoing judicial reforms, including updates to the Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure. According to officials, these reforms aim to strengthen legal responses to gender-based violence and expand access to free legal aid services. The ministry also announced the deployment of gender focal points within courts across the country, alongside continued training programs for judicial staff. Minister Kassogué reiterated the government’s commitment to combating impunity and protecting vulnerable groups, stressing that respect for women’s rights is fundamental to social stability. The ceremony brought together key stakeholders, including Ms. Laurence Douyon, Project Manager and Gender Focal Point at the Ministry of Justice, as well as representatives of UN Women in Mali. Participants welcomed the adoption of the ministry’s first gender strategy and called for coordinated action to ensure that legal equality is effectively implemented in practice. UN representatives also emphasized the role of justice systems in protecting women and urged sustained reforms to guarantee long-term social protection and stability within families.