U.S. Embassy Celebrates International Women's Month with March 18 Program on Family Planning

Ambassador McCulley and the Malian  Minister of Health, Minister Touré, Address Malian Audience during International Women's Month

U.S. Embassy Bamako, in cooperation with Save the Children, celebrated International Women’s Month with a March 16 seminar on family planning and its impact on women’s economic development in Mali.  In his opening remarks to the audience of over one hundred Malian women and men from a variety of sectors, Ambassador McCulley praised the hard work and dedication of women around the country and noted the important role that they played in the economic success of Mali.  The Malian Minister of Health, in turn, stressed the Government of Mali’s commitment to a successful family planning program for all citizens.  The women who attended praised the initiative of the conference and had a frank discussion on the cultural and social norms that make this issue a delicate one in Mali.  All those who attended were given bolts of fabric that celebrated American and Malian friendship.

President Touré Received by President Bush at the White House

President Touré and President Bush Address Reporters at the White House

The February 12 visit of Malian President Amadou Toumani Touré to the White House for talks with President Bush confirmed the increasingly close relationship between Mali and the United States (more).  During their meeting, the two leaders exchanged ideas on issues of health, education, economic development, and security.

At the end of the meeting, President Touré thanked the President "for the our friendship between the people of the United States and the people of Mali, and the cooperation between Mali and the United States that we do entertain on both sides since the independence of Mali in 1960."  President Touré went on to laud the generosity of the American people and government in assisting people around Africa in a variety of ways. (full text of remarks)