(Bamako, Mali) Earlier this month, the Mali National Assembly passed women's rights legislation which awaits the signature of President Toure. Unfortunately, many people are unhappy with the proposed changes.
Some 50,000 people joined a demonstration in Bamako's main stadium on Saturday to protest against legislation that would strengthen the rights of women in Mali.I'd like to think that international women's groups are planning counter-demonstrations.
They carried posters and banners declaring "No to this law that divides the people of Mali", "Let women remain women, and men remain men" and "Western civilisation is a sin."
The proposed new family law -- which replaces the words "paternal power" with "parental authority" and raises the legal age for marriage to 18 -- was adopted by the National Assembly at the beginning of August, but has yet to be signed into force by the president.
Imam Mamoud Diko, the head of Mali's High Islamic Council, which organised Saturday's protest rally, has appealed to President Amadou Toumani Toure not to sign the legislation in order to "maintain peace and order" in the nation.
Several demonstrations rejecting the legislation have already taken place in other town and cities across Mali.
Numerous veiled women were seen at Saturday's demonstration, where a religious leader regularly interrupted the chanting with cries of "respect God", to which the crowd responded "God is great."
[Add.] Interestingly, the massive protest against women's rights comes on the heels of SecState Hillary Clinton's African tour during which she reportedly once mentioned something akin to "I am woman, hear me roar. Don't ask about Bill, anymore."
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