PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
EU grants 9 billion CFA Francs to Mali to fight violence against women
Bamako, Mali (PANA) - The European Union (EU) has granted Mali US$18 million (about 9 billion CFA Francs) to enable the African country deal with violence against women between 2018-2023, PANA learned from official sources.
Mali is part of eight selected countries - Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Mali - to iron out a programme dealing with gender violence.
Towards this end, the Malian government and the United Nations system on Wednesday in Bamako, conducted a workshop on the country programme document of the initiative, called the "Spotlight initiative".
The duo together with the Delegation of the European Union in Mali, ministries and civil society organizations, unveiled the programme at a ceremony, presided over by the Malian justice minister, Tiénan Coulibaly.
The objective of the workshop was to approve the country programme proposal development process (PRODOC), which will enhance the "war" to stamp out violene against women.
Speaking during the opening of the workshop, the Malian justice minister explained that the Spotlight initiative is aimed to protect women and girls against all forms of violence and to ensure support for victims.
According to him, a financial donation of 500 million euros or more than 325 billion CFA francs, out of which 250 million euros will go to eight selected African countries in the framework of this initiative.
According to the United Nations system in Mali, the Spotlight initiative will cost in total US$19,322,650.
"This funding will enhance protection for women and girls against violence, including sexual and gender-based violence, as well as all harmful practices," stressed the coordinator of the United Nations system in Mali, Mbaranga Gasarabwe.
He welcomed the commitment of the government of Mali to defend the cause of women and girls in Mali, with the support of technical and financial partners.
In its first phase, this programme will be implemented in five regions of Mali, Kayes (west), Koulikoro (north-east), Sikasso (south), Ségou (center) and the District of Bamako. This will cover a population of 14,148,509 people, representing 75% of the Malian population, estimated to be 18,957,258.
The programme will start early next year.
-0- PANA GT/JSG/BBA/VAO 15Nov2018
Mali is part of eight selected countries - Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Mali - to iron out a programme dealing with gender violence.
Towards this end, the Malian government and the United Nations system on Wednesday in Bamako, conducted a workshop on the country programme document of the initiative, called the "Spotlight initiative".
The duo together with the Delegation of the European Union in Mali, ministries and civil society organizations, unveiled the programme at a ceremony, presided over by the Malian justice minister, Tiénan Coulibaly.
The objective of the workshop was to approve the country programme proposal development process (PRODOC), which will enhance the "war" to stamp out violene against women.
Speaking during the opening of the workshop, the Malian justice minister explained that the Spotlight initiative is aimed to protect women and girls against all forms of violence and to ensure support for victims.
According to him, a financial donation of 500 million euros or more than 325 billion CFA francs, out of which 250 million euros will go to eight selected African countries in the framework of this initiative.
According to the United Nations system in Mali, the Spotlight initiative will cost in total US$19,322,650.
"This funding will enhance protection for women and girls against violence, including sexual and gender-based violence, as well as all harmful practices," stressed the coordinator of the United Nations system in Mali, Mbaranga Gasarabwe.
He welcomed the commitment of the government of Mali to defend the cause of women and girls in Mali, with the support of technical and financial partners.
In its first phase, this programme will be implemented in five regions of Mali, Kayes (west), Koulikoro (north-east), Sikasso (south), Ségou (center) and the District of Bamako. This will cover a population of 14,148,509 people, representing 75% of the Malian population, estimated to be 18,957,258.
The programme will start early next year.
-0- PANA GT/JSG/BBA/VAO 15Nov2018
