Address by Minister Bibeau on the occasion of a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and International Cooperation

September 1, 2016 - Bamako, Mali

Check against delivery. This speech has been translated in accordance with the Government of Canada’s official languages policy and edited for posting and distribution in accordance with its communications policy.

I am very happy to be in Bamako today on the occasion of my first official mission to Africa.

As you know, Canada and Mali share a long history of cooperation.

And our shared desires still unite us today.

I know that the Malian government is making real efforts to implement the Accord pour la paix et la reconciliation [au Mali] [agreement on peace and reconciliation in Mali].

Mali, with Canada at its side, is also making progress in the sectors of health and rural development.

Mali is showing great vigilance on security standards, particularly in its fight against the terrorism that, unfortunately, has not spared its people.

Canada’s engagement in Mali

I am also here today to confirm that Canada has returned to Africa and remains a strong and reliable ally for Mali’s development.

We are currently reviewing Canada’s international aid policies, but I can already confirm two things: Canada will be more and more present in Africa, particularly in francophone Africa.

And women and girls will be at the heart of all of our actions.

Yes, because they are the greatest victims of poverty and violence, but also especially because no society can deprive itself of the socio-economic development potential that women represent.

They are powerful agents of change, development and peace.

This is why Canada will increase its efforts aimed at making it possible for them to realize their full potential. For them to exercise their rights. So they can participate fully in decision making. For them to take control of their destinies and contribute to the well-being of their families, to peace and to the economic growth of their countries.

Real progress

We are proud to support organizations in Mali that are coming to the aid of women.

We first have to protect our girls. Early marriages have to stop, because they put girls’ lives at risk and ruin their futures.

With Canada’s help, the rate of births attended by qualified personnel increased significantly in just one year, rising from 26 percent in 2013 to 30 percent in 2014.

We have also contributed to improving women’s access to family-planning services, because women must be able to choose when they wish to have children.

Equality between the sexes—it is a fundamental, universal right.

And Canada intends to be an ally to all those who are working in difficult conditions so that this cause will be advanced and respected.

Help that goes further

Canada’s assistance will go beyond our health initiatives, all while keeping women and girls present in all phases of the implementation of our projects.

Take food security for example.

In 2015 and 2016, Canada’s assistance in this sector helped support 132 groups of farmers and 16 cooperatives, whose members were mostly women.

Today, I am proud to announce another Canadian contribution to the food security sector.

I recently approved the VITAL Food for Work and Promotion of Local Cereal Purchases project. With a value of $10 million, this project is being implemented by the World Food Programme. Half of those who will benefit from it are women. The project will strengthen the ability to produce and market products.

Other challenges remain.

I am thinking in particular of the significant impacts of conflicts on women and what could be called the “feminization” of HIV/AIDS.

Together, we must protect women in conflict zones, and we must also provide justice to the victims of sexual violence.

In 2015 and 2016, because of Canada’s assistance, many women had representation in court.

Returning to AIDS, we must remember that two thirds of new infections in sub-Saharan Africa are in girls 18 to 25 years old.

That is not counting tuberculosis and malaria, which affect women more than men.

These numbers are alarming.

Millions of women of child-bearing age still have HIV.

We must act urgently.

To do this, men and boys must also be mobilized, and for it to be sustainable, this work has to be done as a team.

This is why Canada will also accompany Africa—and thus Mali—in innovative partnerships that engage countries to invest in their social systems.

I am thinking in particular of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which brings together partners from all sectors.

Furthermore, the Fifth Replenishment Conference of the Global Fund will be held in Montréal in mid-September.

To conclude, our joint action is also demonstrated in the international forums that are at our disposal.

I am thinking of the International Organisation of La Francophonie and the United Nations, at which Canada recently committed to reinvesting in peace missions.

A state that is democratic and inclusive and shows good governance has the odds in its favour to ensure peace and prosperity, and Canada will be at Mali’s side in the pursuit of this ideal.

Contacts

Bernard Boutin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Development and La Francophonie
343-203-5977
bernard.boutin@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
Follow us on Twitter: @CanadaDev
Like us on Facebook: Canada’s international development - Global Affairs Canada