iKNOW Politics:  It would appear that the recent crisis in Libya has had disastrous consequences for the countries of the Sahel. Can you help us understand the reasons for the recent rebellion in Northern Mali?

Saoudatou: What is happening in Mali, a democratic State that respects its constitution, is regrettable, particularly since we will be holding presidential elections within a few weeks, on 29 April. This rebellion in Northern Mali is commonly called the Tuareg rebellion, but in reality involves the Tuaregs as well as the Fula and Songhai.  This rebellion has been particularly affected by the Libyan crisis. The same conflict has in fact raged in Northern Mali for decades. The rebels demand independence, or in any case autonomy, for this northern region, which they call Azawad and which stretches beyond Mali’s borders.  The peace was signed in 1992 as part of a "peace flame" ceremony to mark the end of hostilities. Thousands of rebels then joined the regular armed forces. Discriminatory measures were adopted in favour of the Northern Malians with the sole aim of encouraging their participation in the peace process. More recently, in 2009, the Algiers Accord was signed following a number of attacks. Tensions then dissipated until the fall of the Qaddafi regime. This led to the return of Malian Tuaregs who had been fighting in Qaddafi's army to their country of orgin. Regrettably, they returned heavily armed. Some left their weapons at the border, but others The consequences of Qaddafi's fall have been truly deplorable. The government trusted these Malians as they returned home to escape the combat in Libya; we never imagining that they would then turn their weapons against us. Today, many households have been displaced to the deserts of Algeria, Mauritania, and Burkina Faso.

Apart from the arrival en masse of these Libyan soldiers, Al Qaeda forces operating in the Islamic Maghreb have been taking numerous Western hostages, which has further destabilized this region.

iKNOW Politics:  As a woman politician in this climate of tension what steps do you envisage to ensure women's participation in future elections?

Saoudatou: The elections must take place. Otherwise, the armed forces will take power. Our constitution does not recognize force majeure. In the case of women, steps must be taken to train and sensitize them. I believe that networks like iKNOW Politics can help us in that regard. Women must not allow themselves to be intimidated by verbal and physical violence. If participation in the elections is weak, or if the elections are compromised, it will be a victory for the rebels. Women must not remain on the sidelines of this process. If we don't go to the polls, that will represent a reversal for our democracy. Following this interview with you, I am going to commit personally to raising awareness among women, since the entire Malian population must engage to ensure a proper process for presidential and legislative elections. In the case of the National Assembly, we have joined together to support the government as to the expenditures required for this war. We have also questioned a number of government ministers.

iKNOW Politics:  What advice can you give to women in the Arab world who are beginning their transition toward democracy?

Saoudatou: What I can tell them is to stand up and fight, particularly since "the Islamists" have gained ground in most of the countries that experienced the Arab Spring. Women have been very active in demanding democracy in all countries; they must therefore not be marginalized from the process. They must not engage in a battle of women against men but should rather commit to complementary roles. I encourage them to carry through to the end in their quest for liberty, justice and equality. I wish them continuing motivation to occupy the same positions as men. They also have the support of their sisters in Mali.

To read the complete news please visit Reuters Africa.

iKNOW Politics: To start, can you tell us what challenges you had to overcome as a woman in positions of political leadership? How did your past and your experience help? 

Honourable Ascofaré:Thank you for granting me this interview. I arrived on the political scene in 1997, when the COPP (Convention for Progress and the People) was established. I was the Secretary General from 1997 to 2002, and I’m proud to have managed to establish the party everywhere in Mali. Generally speaking, the women who manage to reach positions of responsibility fall victim to prejudices that oblige them to work twice as hard to prove their technical competence and to assert themselves as “women”. This experience has served me well in everyday life, and in particular in the exercise of my duties as a member of parliament. I will answer your second question with this point. 

iKNOW Politics: Can you tell our readers how you help promote protection for the rights of Ténenkou’s women and in public life? 

Honourable Ascofaré:I was elected in Ténenkou and am currently serving my second term in office, but I am first and foremost a member of parliament for all Malians: “any imperative mandate is null and void”. That being said, the women of Ténenkou, like all women in Mali, are confronted by: the low school enrolment rate, poverty, disease (HIV/AIDS, poorly guaranteed reproductive health), attacks on physical integrity, under-representation in administrative and political decision-making bodies. As a legislator, I can act to remedy those problems by initiating and/or adopting legislative measures in favour of women. In addition, I ensure that existing texts protecting women’s rights are properly enforced through government oversight. Certain coercive measures, such as quotas, can enable women to play a role in public life and foster the genuine change in behaviour needed for our country’s harmonious development. 

iKNOW Politics: On the basis of that experience, what do you think women in high positions in Mali should do to promote women and safeguard their rights?

 Honourable Ascofaré:Such women do not have the right to make mistakes. Each of them must see herself as being on a mission in the cause of women, in other words show that she can do as well if not better than a man. They cannot be spared comparison at this level. They will always serve as models for the ascent of other women.

Honourable Ascofaré: What, in your view, are the main obstacles facing women who enter politics? How did you overcome them? 

Ms. Ascofaré:The main obstacles are socio-cultural in nature. To overcome them, you have to start by daring. Then you have to organize so as to be able to cope with the other internal (family) and external obligations. It’s a huge challenge, and your husband has to be your chief ally!

 iKNOW Politics:What are you specifically doing to help and encourage women and girls to participate in political life?

Honourable Ascofaré:I use tangible examples a lot, mine first of all, which speaks louder than any other. Also through associative life, I try to influence harmful common practices by launching activities to raise awareness and bolster women’s capacities. This is why I created an association that works to raise the number of girls enrolled in school in my constituency and to promote good reproductive health practices.

 iKNOW Politics: How did the support of other women help you in your activities? How can political party women’s groups and women’s committees contribute to making women more effective in politics?

 Honourable Ascofaré:Women are my chief allies in my constituency, I take advantage of the opportunity you give me to pay tribute to them. They are a driving force in political parties. They are very efficient but their abundant supply of energy is not always put to good use.

 iKNOW Politics: How do you think an initiative like iKNOW Politics can be used to encourage women’s progress in politics?

 Honourable Ascofaré: iKNOW Politics is a wonderful initiative, allow me to congratulate its promoters. Women leaders can use it to enhance exchanges, share experiences, start common activities. But this cannot be done without first strengthening women’s capacity to use computer tools. Just as there is a digital gap between North and South, so there is a huge gap between men and women in the use of computer aids, and that gap has to be bridged. iKNOW Politics also has to diversify its working methods. In addition to on-line contacts, your structure must be present in the field and in direct physical contact with women.

 iKNOW Politics: What advice would you give iKNOW Politics members, in particular women and girls who want to become involved in politics?

 Honourable Ascofaré:In Mali, when someone says they want to be involved in politics(politiguimogo in bamanan our local language), there is always a negative connotation. All misguided thinking on this point must first be dispelled. Getting involved in politics simply means helping to solve problems in your village, your town or your country - in that sense everyone is a “politician”. Politics is not the exclusive domain of men. It’s true that the way our society is organized tends somehow to exclude women from politics by relegating them to a back seat. Customs are hard to change but there is hope. As attitudes change, with the various government policies and civil society organizations promoting women, success may be around the corner. The advent of democracy in Mali in March 1991 marked a turning point in women’s awareness of their capacity to organize and have an impact on the course of events. I think that advance is irreversible and permanent. To my sisters and my daughters who want to embark on politics, I have only one piece of advice: you have to believe!

The iKNOW Politics website was presented to the plenary, and brochures and other materials were distributed. The testimonial video subtitled in French has been diffused. It was followed by comments of Fatima Meite communal advisor. The UNDP Resident Representative (Mr. Philippe Poinsot) and the NDI Country Director (Mr. Raphael Ouattara) also spoke. They underlined the importance of networking on political careers. One of the most important women’s networks in Mali and in all West Africa REFAMP (Réseau des Femmes Africaines Ministres et Parlementaires) also took part in this event. Last but not least, the Gender Minister did her speech; she officially launched iKNOW Politics in Mali and invited all women working in public life to become a member of iKNOW Politics. On the TV News on Saturday night iKNOW Politics launch event took a major part of the news as it was mentioned in the headlines. Thanks to this launch event, iKNOW Politics is well known in Mali and abroad in many countries in West Africa.