Bamako - Post Report Question and Answers
Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Again, it's a very traditional society. Women have kids and cook. There are women who work at the embassy, though in the more traditional fields for women (HR, Travel, Finance and procurement, Health unit, and Political) and not in traditionally-male sections (motor pool, warehouse or facilities). Mali is pretty tolerant of non-Muslims, though recent terrorist attacks have shown extremism to be a factor. Local staff show an interest in differing belief systems. - Apr 2017
Mali is predominantly Muslim but, at least in Bamako, the culture is quite accepting of other religions. There is even a small percentage of Malians that are Catholic. Mali being Muslim doesn't mean you are restricted from certain goods; they serve pork at restaurants and even have local beer! Like I mentioned above, Mali can be quite conservative. As a woman, I try to wear long skirts when I am outside otherwise I have noticed that I get stares when I wear anything above my knee. I never wear shorts. You can show your arms/shoulders just fine. The average Malian woman on the street wears a long skirt with a tank top. I have noticed that Malian culture is quite sexist. Gender equality to most Malian men is a joke. It is expected that a man's wife will maintain the home, cook/clean, do whatever the husband says, even if the woman is also working full-time in an office. It frustrates me to no end to hear of the unfair treatment my female Malian colleagues must deal with on a daily basis, especially from their husbands. I am pretty immune to this treatment as a foreigner but it's difficult to accept regardless. - Aug 2014
While there really aren't ethnic or religious prejudices in a general sense, gender dynamics in this society are really a challenge. Women have so little power here to affect their lives, and it shows in the country's development progression (or lack of it). That being said, women and men in the workplace appear have general equality, from my experience. There are high level female government officials, including the present Minister of Health and Prime Minister, and in my office I have seen no problems. American women, in my opinion, are viewed by Malians as men in terms of gender dynamics. - Jul 2011
No. There're many ethnic groups here andthey living along very well. Muslim and Christians, too. White and black, too. - Jul 2011
Not that I am aware of. Women do the bulk of the work, especially in rural areas. Do not come here expecting enlightened views on women's role in society. - Oct 2010
I haven't face any problems in this aspect. Very nice people. - May 2010
None. See prior comments, Malians are wonderfully tolerant of any and all things different. That said, its a very traditional male-dominated society where a modern western definition of women's rights is still probably another 10-20 years away. - Sep 2009
No. - Apr 2009
No-Mali is extremely tolerant. Women don't have many problems here with harrassment or safety. Malians are extremely tolerant religiously. - Feb 2009
Malians are pretty tolerant. - Feb 2009
Malians are very tolerant. The majority of the country is muslim, and they tend to practice their religion more privately than in middle eastern countries. You do not feel like you are in a majority Muslim country. - Jan 2009
