Symposium Femme & Santé 2026 to Focus on Women's Health in Mali

The 2026 edition of the Symposium Femme & Santé (SFES 2026) is set to take place on November 19 at the French Institute in Mali. The event was announced during a press conference organized by WoManager and its partners, including WiLDAF/Mali, on November 12. The symposium aims to bring together healthcare professionals, associative actors, institutions, media, and communities to discuss women's health issues.

The theme of this year's symposium is "Quel avenir pour la santé des femmes?" or "What future for women's health?" According to Ténin Samaké, director of WoManager, women's health encompasses prevention, access to reliable information, recourse to health services, quality of care, and well-being throughout life. The event will focus on women's cancers, particularly breast and cervical cancer, which are significant concerns for prevention, screening, and orientation.

Aminata Diarra, representative of WiLDAF/Mali, emphasized the importance of effective access to healthcare for women in Mali. She noted that the right to health goes beyond the existence of healthcare structures and requires equitable access to quality services, reliable information, respectful care, and accompaniment without discrimination. However, many women and girls in Mali face obstacles in accessing healthcare services.

The press conference was attended by several civil society organizations, including the Senovie + project. Hélène N’diaye, president of the Réseau Solidaire en Agroécologie Paysanne et Citoyenne (RESAPAC), highlighted the importance of prevention in maintaining good health. Her organization works to promote healthy eating habits and raise awareness about the importance of nutrition in preventing diseases.

The Symposium Femme & Santé 2026 aims to create a platform for stakeholders to discuss women's health issues and find solutions to the challenges faced by women in Mali. The event will feature discussions, debates, and presentations on various aspects of women's health, including cancer prevention and treatment.

Organizers of the symposium hope to raise awareness about women's health issues and promote collaboration among stakeholders to improve healthcare services for women in Mali. The event is expected to attract a wide range of participants, including healthcare professionals, policymakers, and community leaders.

The Symposium Femme & Santé 2026 is part of a larger effort to promote women's health and well-being in Mali. The event will contribute to the national conversation on women's health and help to identify solutions to the challenges faced by women in accessing quality healthcare services.

Key points

• The 2026 Symposium Femme & Santé will focus on women's cancers, particularly breast and cervical cancer.
• The event aims to promote effective access to healthcare for women in Mali.
• The symposium will bring together healthcare professionals, associative actors, institutions, media, and communities to discuss women's health issues.