Mali: several hundred people march against violence against women
Demonstrators gather at Place de l'Indépendance in Bamako to march against violence against women in Mali, September 26, 2020. MICHELE CATTANI / AFP
Text by: RFI Follow
5 mins
At the call of a coalition of NGOs and associations, a white and silent march against violence against women was organized in Bamako.
Several hundred people attended.
They demand the adoption by Parliament of a specific law against gender-based violence.
And this, while the so-called "Sidiki Diabaté" affair arouses great emotion in Mali.
The former companion of the famous musician, accuses him of threats, kidnapping and assault and battery.
The musician's family denounces a plot.
An investigation is underway.
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With our special correspondent in Bamako
,
Florence Morice
"
Hit the tam tam by on the women
", "
victim woman I believe you
", "
no empathy for the executioners
".
These are some of the slogans that could be read on Saturday in Bamako, on the occasion of a march against violence against women.
White coat, and banner in hand, Doctor Seydou Oumar Cissé insisted on being in the front line of the march.
Shocked by the many testimonies of violence he hears every week in his office.
“
The last example that really stood out to me was a woman who was married at 13 and her husband was 42 years old.
He kidnapped her, assaulted her to sleep with her.
The woman is traumatized.
I am here to say
"enough is enough".
According to the organizers of the march, 70% of victims keep quiet about the violence they suffer.
Anna Touré, 38, came to denounce the social constraints that stifle the words of these women even in their families.
"
We tell you,
'It's normal, I was hit, it has to be the same for you.
We tell you
"your husband loves you, that's how it is".
No that's not true !
When we love, we don't hit.
"
“
The political will that is lacking,
” laments Balla Mariko, spokesperson for the collective against domestic violence.
He pleads for the adoption of a specific bill that has been in the making for years.
“
The law is stuck between the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Women's Protection.
She has not yet landed in the Assembly.
I hope that the Sidiki Diabaté affair will raise awareness among decision-makers.
"
In the ranks of the march.
Me Nadia Biouélé, lawyer for the ex-partner of singer Sidiki Diabaté.
By opening
an investigation in this case
, justice has sent a strong signal.
“
Because there is a normality of violence in Mali, which wants the woman to be scrupulously submissive.
We tend not to follow up on cases of violence brought to justice.
"
What is even more bewildering is that it is the family who demand that the victim be silent.
With everything she's been through, she can commit suicide, be excluded from society.
But we have observed for some time that justice is more and more attentive and engaged.
Me Nadia Biouélé, lawyer for Mariam Sow
Florence morice
"
There is hope
", wants to believe the lawyer without presuming the judicial outcome of the current investigation.
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Mali: musician Sidiki Diabaté accused of threats and violence by his former companion