On October 7, 2026, Plan International Mali hosted a press conference in Bamako to mark the upcoming International Day of the Girl, celebrated annually on October 11. The event aimed to reaffirm the organization's commitment to protecting and promoting the well-being of girls, particularly in the fight against child marriage. According to Plan International Mali, nearly 12 million girls worldwide are married before the age of 18 every year.
The conference, held at Plan International Mali's headquarters, brought together media representatives and partners to discuss the organization's efforts to combat child marriage. In Mali, the Ministry of Women's Promotion, Children, and Family, in collaboration with organizations such as Plan International, World Vision, and Save the Children, commemorated the International Day of the Girl under the theme "Investing in Education and Culture for Better Awareness of the Consequences of Child Marriage and Promotion of Girls' Rights."
The global theme for this year's International Day of the Girl, "Ending Child Marriage and Investing in Girls' Rights," emphasizes the importance of addressing these two interconnected issues. According to Drissa Dabonne, Deputy Director of Programs at Plan International Mali, the organization will launch a global campaign, "Supporting Her Future," to strengthen its impact and position itself as a humanitarian actor committed to protecting girls and civilians.
Dabonne highlighted the challenges faced by girls in Mali, particularly in education. As of April 2026, 2,444 schools remained closed, affecting 733,200 children, mostly girls. He emphasized that behind these statistics are individual girls who have had their dreams, education, and future taken away. The choice of theme for this year's celebration in Mali focuses on education and culture as key levers in preventing child marriage.
Fanta Beydi Fall, representing the National Directorate for the Promotion of Children and Families, expressed her support for Plan International Mali's efforts to eradicate child marriage. She emphasized that protecting girls' rights is a top priority for her department, which continues to conduct awareness-raising campaigns to promote respect for children's rights and abandonment of child marriage.
The press conference was attended by representatives from partner organizations, all committed to defending girls' and children's rights. The event demonstrated the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders in Mali to address the issue of child marriage and promote girls' empowerment. Plan International Mali's campaign aims to raise awareness and mobilize action to prevent child marriage and support girls' education and well-being.
The International Day of the Girl celebrations in Mali underscore the importance of investing in girls' education and protection to prevent child marriage. With the support of partners and stakeholders, Plan International Mali and other organizations are working to create a safer and more enabling environment for girls to thrive and reach their full potential.
Key points
- Plan International Mali launches global campaign to support girls' rights and prevent child marriage
- Nearly 12 million girls worldwide are married before 18 every year
- Mali's education sector faces significant challenges, with 2,444 schools closed affecting 733,200 children
