Women's decision-making capacity in reproductive health and the capacity to empower themselves by increasing income through gardening activities in the Kangaba circle in Mali

Abstract

Economically empowered women are more engaged in their own health as well as that of their children. With this in mind, the NGO IAMANEH Switzerland, in collaboration with the NGO GAD, implemented a project to empower women in the Kangaba circle. We conducted this study three years after the start of the project to assess the impact of this project. It was carried out in August 2018 in the communes of Balan Bakama, Séléfougou and Maramandougou of the Kangaba circle. A qualitative study was conducted that targeted women, men and village health workers surveyed through one-to-one interviews and group discussions. Women played a very important financial role in spending on nutrition and health. Through income-generating activities, they manage to control their finances and therefore have an important control over food purchases, either for the benefit of their children or the improvement of their own diet and even in decision-making. Knowledge has helped to understand the importance of birth spacing and therefore to accept family planning. Women enjoyed strong support from men, although decision-making about care seeking and family planning was not totally dependent on women. We also noted the establishment of a framework of exchange between husband and wife.