Mali's Panafrican Women's Day Focuses on Water Access

Mali commemorated Panafrican Women's Day by highlighting the challenges women and girls face in accessing clean water and sanitation. Despite a national access rate of 75.4%, disparities exist, with some regions experiencing prolonged outages and insufficient quality. This issue disproportionately affects women, who often bear the responsibility of collecting water, reducing time for other activities. Insecurity and displacement exacerbate these challenges. The government and partners are implementing solutions, including the $100 million Mali Water Security Support Project, to benefit 500,000 people, half of whom are women. Involving women in local decision-making and securing water points are also crucial for sustainable improvement.