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.