Transforming lives through skilled midwives in Mali
Bamako — « I was too embarrassed to discuss contraception. In my community, it’s still a taboo topic. I feared judgment or gossip if I spoke openly about it, » shares Kadidia, a 19-year-old resident of Bamako.
Like many young women in Mali, Kadidia faces significant social, cultural, and structural barriers when seeking sexual and reproductive health services. Despite progress, challenges remain stark: in 2024, Mali recorded 583 maternal deaths, including 89 among adolescents aged 15 to 19. Early and unintended pregnancies continue to pose serious health risks. While the numbers show improvement—with 559,493 young women and adolescents accessing modern contraceptives in 2024 compared to 480,682 the previous year—the scope of the issue demands urgent attention. Mali’s 4.8 million women of reproductive age highlight the critical need for accessible, youth-friendly reproductive health services.
Ensuring access to reproductive health services empowers women to make informed decisions about their bodies and futures. These services reduce unintended pregnancies, lower the risk of sexually transmitted infections, and enhance overall physical and mental well-being. In a country where stigma persists and risks are high, advancing these rights is a public health priority.
How the World Health Organization supports Mali’s reproductive health goals
The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with key partners, is working alongside the Malian government to implement a comprehensive program aimed at strengthening sexual and reproductive health rights and access. This initiative focuses on several key areas:
- Strengthening legal frameworks to protect reproductive health rights
- Enhancing the skills of healthcare providers through targeted training
- Providing essential medical equipment and supplies
- Establishing youth-friendly clinics tailored to the needs of adolescents
- Generating reliable data to inform public health policies
« This program is embedded in our national strategic plan, » explains Dr. N’Tji Keita, Head of the Maternal and Child Health Department at Mali’s National Office of Reproductive Health. « We’ve trained magistrates on updated WHO guidelines, launched a national health observatory, and reinforced systems to track maternal deaths. »
The WHO’s role extends beyond technical support—it serves as a catalyst for coordination and supervision. Thanks to this partnership, Mali now publishes its first national bulletin on sexual and reproductive health indicators, alongside the 2022 National Health Accounts. These tools provide critical insights, enabling data-driven decision-making and strategic planning.
« We’ve supported the creation of a Mother-Child-Adolescent clinic in Sikasso, offering integrated family planning and gender-based violence support, » says Dr. Sylla Ousmane, WHO’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Program Manager in Mali. « A mobile team is also ready to serve vulnerable populations in humanitarian zones like Macina. »
Midwives at the heart of change: training that saves lives
Skilled and compassionate midwives are the backbone of this transformation. Their continuous training has significantly improved the quality of care for young women and adolescents. Aïssata, a midwife at the Kebila community health center, shares her experience: « I’ve received advanced training in prenatal care, family planning, STI/HIV/AIDS management, and medical prescribing. This has not only enhanced my skills but also allowed me to serve young women without judgment. »
Assetou, a mentoring midwife in Yanfolila, 160 kilometers south of Bamako, echoes this sentiment: « These trainings have revolutionized my approach—prioritizing listening, availability, and consent. » Between 2019 and 2025, the number of adolescents accessing sexual and reproductive health services at her center more than doubled, rising from 2,330 to 5,121.
The impact of these efforts goes beyond statistics. Through school awareness campaigns, radio programs on sexuality, and training providers in empathetic listening and consent, young girls are increasingly seeking care. Stigma is fading, dialogue is growing, and trust is being rebuilt.
For Kadidia, the change is personal. « The healthcare worker who assisted me made me feel safe, listened without judgment, and gave me the guidance I needed, » she says. « To other young women, I say: don’t be afraid. These services exist to help you. Seek them out. »