The women are beautiful at Bamako

In Bamako, the capital of Mali, it is the women who keep society running. This documentary portrays the lives of a number of these colorful women: they are lawyers, historians, teachers, traditional healers, and businesswomen. At the same time, they are confronted with polygamy and sexual violence. The film also touches on Mali’s political history.

Social Interest
Life for the women of Mali has improved in recent decades. The Mali Women’s Lawyers Association was founded in 1991 and promotes the legal rights of women in a society where these rights are anything but guaranteed. More organizations are actively promoting the advancement of women. Emphasis is placed on the position of women within family and marriage contexts. Though women are gaining ground, they are still subject to the will and whims of their spouse and family.

Historic Relevance
History in Mali has always been turbulent. Mali gained independence from France in 1960. Conflicts and chaos in the post-colonial period produced a one-party system. In 1991, popular protest, including that of women, forced President Traore out of office and eventually resulted in the formation of a democratic system of government. Mali’s geographic location and the existence of rebel groups have resulted in challenges for the country, but the government has been able to guarantee a relative level of stability since the early 1990s.

Political Relevance
There is a small number of prominent female politicians, including Aminata Dramane Traore and Sidib Aminata Diallo . Traore has worked at the United Nations and served as Minister of Tourism and Culture, and Diallo ran for president in 2007. The first democratically elected president was Alpha Konaré, who was elected in 1992 and succeeded by Amadou Toumani Touré in 2007.

Scenes

Mali Independence, 1960
Historian Rokiatou N’Diaye tells about the day of Mali’s Independence at September 22 1960 and its aftermath. A socialist regime was set up by the first President of the Republic, Mobide Keita, which caused shortages all over the country.
Coup D’Etat by military in 1968
Archive images of the coup d’etat in November 1968. Moussa Traore imposes a one party rule.
Mali, dyer Awa Cisse supervises her daughters to learn how to dye
Dyer Awa Cisse is supervising her daughters and nieces by dying the sheets and mixing the right colors. Her mother taught her the process and now she passes it on to her children.
Riots in Bamako, Mali, 1991
Short archive images of riots in Bamako, Mali, 1991. Women demonstrated against Moussa Traore, but the demonstration was clamped down by military force. Hundreds were wounded and murdered. An eye witness tells about her experience.
Polygamy in Mali
Women in Mali are highly respected in the work they are doing, but they are still confronted with polygamy and sexual violence. This is an unbearable way of living.
How it works: polygamy in Mali
A man explains the way polygamy works in Mali: a system of rotation.
Acceptance of polygamy by women in Mali
Polygamy is forced upon women in Mali by men. It does not make them happy, but they do accept it. It is not allowed to show real emotions and feelings.
The Mali Women Lawyers’ Association defends victims of polygamy in Mali
At the legal clinic of the Mali Women Lawyers’ Association, women can complain about their family situation and independently decide to take steps against this.
Family structure in Mali and the position of women within this structure
In one family, four generations are living together in Mali. Within this big family, the daughter-in-law is inferior to the rest of the familiy and takes care of everything and everyone. This makes her situation unbearable.
Traditional pharmacist in Mali
A traditional pharmacist in Mali tells about her work.
Country girls going to night school in Bamako, Mali
Country girls in Mali get the opportunity to go to school at night. They learn to read and write, but get informed about AIDS and hygene as well. The classes at night also protects them from hanging around in the streets and ending up in prostitution.
Interview about excision in Mali
Interview with an excisionist in Mali who defends her work.
Troubles because of excision in Mali
A woman explains about the troubles caused by excision at wedding nights. A doctor or gynaecologist needs to intevene. This causes a very painful first night for women.
Sociologist Aminata Traore about illiteracy
Sociologist Aminata Traore defends women who are illiterate. She emphasises that illiteracy does not mean they cannot think or speak.