Social and Psychological Foundations of African Women's values in Mali: Historical and Contemporary Context

Abstract

In this research, the authors explore the social and psychological foundations (norms, values, principles, roles) of the rights of African women in Mali, with particular emphasis on the historical and contemporary contexts of Timbuktu, Bamako, Gao, and Mopti. The study explores the intersection of traditional African philosophies, Islamic influences and modern human rights discourses to understand the unique position of women and young women in these regions. Timbuktu, Gao and Mopti, three important centers of Islamic and cultural scholarship and commerce in the Sahel, have a long history of rich economic, cultural and intellectual exchange. These cities offer a unique perspective through which to examine the evolution of women's rights in Mali. The main hypothesis of this research is that traditional African concepts of communitarianism and mind-logic (Oyeronke Oyewumi, 1997), Ubuntu and the role of women in pre-colonial societies contrast with the patriarchal structures introduced by Islamic and Christian, then colonial cultural and international influences. This juxtaposition reveals a complex tapestry of gender dynamics that continue to shape the lives of women in these regions today, especially in fragile and conflicted areas. Through an interdisciplinary approach combining historical analysis, philosophical inquiry and field studies on African women leaders (including young leaders) and displaced women in Timbuktu, Gao and Mopti (during the period from 2020 to 2022), the authors argue that the philosophy of African women's rights in Mali cannot be fully understood without considering the syncretic nature of its cultural heritage. Timbuktu, Gao, and Mopti, with their historical role as a melting pot of ideas, demonstrate how local traditions and external influences have been negotiated and reinterpreted for more cohesive and integrative women duties and rights in public community, political and media spheres.