Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Women's rights in Mali 'set back 50 years' by new 'Family Code' law

Opposition to legislation dashes equality hopes in West African country's strongly patriarchal society Farima Samake, a widow living in the village of Gwelekoro in the south of Mali, regrets obeying her husband when he took their first daughter out of school to take care of her younger brother. "Her father decided it and I didn't refuse," says Farima. "Now she is married in another village not far from here. I think our decision has been an injury to her because if she had studied her life could have been different." Farima didn't oppose the decision because the law dictates that a woman must obey her husband. See full Article.