PASCOFI is an education support program that works to address the barriers that prevent girls in conflict-affected regions of Mali from accessing education.
PASCOFI is an education support program that works to address the barriers that prevent girls in Mali from accessing education.

Breaking Barriers and Transforming Community Perceptions to Keep Girls in School in Mali – Mafounè’s Story

For girls in rural Mali like Mafounè, education is about more than learning—it is a pathway to accessing resources and developing critical skills to shape a better future. Mafounè, a fifth-year student at Sanando Fundamental School, comes from a limited-income family where education was not always a priority. When her grandmother became ill, as an only child, she was the only one available to care for her,  so she dropped out of school halfway through the school year, taking on the responsibility. It was a family decision, influenced by societal norms, especially since girls her age are often expected to prioritize household chores over continuing their education. Missing the rest of the academic school year, meant that she fell behind her classmates, further impacting the likelihood of her returning to school. 

However, through cash transfers, discussion sessions with community mobilizers and after-school support classes, Mafounè was able to catch up on her studies and eventually return back to school. The cash transfer helped support her family by enabling them to purchase school supplies and other necessities, ensuring that Mafounè could resume her education without additional financial strain on her family. Open discussions on social norms also helped her family find alternative solutions that would allow Mafounè to continue her studies. Getting back to the classroom and catching up with her peers, improved her self-esteem and had a positive impact on her grades which improved significantly in just one year. “This year, I am more committed than ever to performing well. […] The support classes have restored my confidence and helped me improve my learning. I hope the support classes continue and that all students in our school can participate,” she shares.

The PASCOFI approach

At WUSC, we know that by supporting a girl to continue her education, she can improve her ability to make informed decisions about her health, develop more self-confidence, and gain practical skills that improve her future prospects. Our work recognizes that sustainable progress happens through targeted, collaborative interventions designed to remove specific barriers that prevent girls from attending and staying in school, and to provide more targeted support to help them thrive. PASCOFI is an education support program that works to address the barriers that prevent girls in conflict-affected regions of Mali from accessing education. These barriers include financial hardship, cultural norms like early marriage, and limited resources like access to sanitary pads. Many schools were not adapted to meet the specific needs of girls, particularly regarding menstruation. There was a need for more inclusive curricula, better-trained teachers, and gender-sensitive facilities. To address the lack of access to sanitary pads numerous workshops were organized through the PASCOFI project that focused on how to make reusable menstrual pads at home, preventing girls from missing school during their menstrual cycles. Through community mobilization, gender-sensitive strategies, and collaboration with regional authorities, together with our partners, we are working to increase girls’ enrollment, retention, and academic performance.  After 4 years,  we are starting to see promising results, not only are more girls starting and staying in school in the Djenné district of Mali but we are also starting to see improved learning outcomes with girls doing better in school. Better enrollment and education outcomes for girls in Mali does not just improve their quality of life and the opportunities available to them, it also transforms the lives of their communities.  

Mafounè’s return to her school in Goundouka after having to drop out.

How the Goundaka community reshaped attitudes toward girls’ education

Community-driven support for education is at the heart of the change process. It’s not just about getting more girls into school- it’s about changing how communities perceive education, making it a priority for everyone. In Goundaka, where challenges like early marriage and inadequate school facilities once limited opportunities for girls, we are beginning to see meaningful change. Community engagement sessions have raised awareness about child marriage, challenged restrictive social norms, and promoted education champions in the community. Efforts to create safer, more inclusive schools- such as advocating for facilities that cater to girls’ needs, like private toilets- have further contributed to this positive change. Additionally, after-school programs and conditional cash transfers have provided families with the resources necessary to keep their daughters in school. Meanwhile, the cash transfers aim to help families who are committed to keeping their girls in school. In Goundaka, the cash assistance program alleviated the financial burden many families face, by covering essential costs such as school supplies, sanitary pads, transportation fees, and other basic needs, enabling families to prioritize education even in difficult circumstances. “This year, we have more girls in school than in the past five years combined,” said one school director in Goundaka. Increased enrollment rates reflect the collective efforts of parents, community leaders, teachers, and the wider community to ensure that girls have the same opportunities to succeed as boys.

How supporting girls’ education creates lasting change

Mafounè’s journey is just one example of how education is redefining the lives of girls in Mali. For Mafounè, returning to school offers the chance to break free from societal expectations of girls to drop out to marry and take on domestic chores. Continuing her education enables her to pursue aspirations beyond traditional expectations. Through this education support program, girls in Mali will gain access to education, opening doors to better opportunities and paving the way for a more equitable future.  “The seeds we are planting today will grow into something extraordinary tomorrow”, shared the school director.

Parents participating in a community engagement session under the PASCOFI project, discussing the importance of education for girls in Goundaka.

Through holistic support like cash transfers, after-school programs, and community dialogue, WUSC aims to help girls in Mali’s Djenné district continue their education, demonstrating how strategic, locally-informed interventions can support girls like Mafounè to overcome barriers and pursue their potential.

You can contribute to life-changing outcomes like Mafounè’s by donating to support our girls’ education programming here.

PASCOFI is a five-year project funded by Global Affairs Canada, aiming to improve girls’ education in conflict-affected regions of Mali (Ségou and Mopti). Implemented by WUSC in partnership with Association Malienne pour la Solidarité et le Développement (AMSODE), Association Subaahi Gumo (ASG), Association Eveil Waalde Pinal (EVEIL), and Association Malienne pour la Survie au Sahel (AMSS), the project addresses barriers to girls’ education, such as socio-cultural, economic, and institutional challenges including the need for more inclusive curricula, better-trained teachers, and gender-sensitive facilities. The project focuses on increasing girls’ enrollment, retention, and academic performance through community mobilization, gender-sensitive approaches, and collaboration with regional authorities.

WUSC works to create a better world for all young people. To learn more, start here or subscribe to get highlights straight to your inbox. Interested in volunteering internationally? View our current opportunities. Looking for a new career opportunity? Check out our current job openings. Or show your support for our cause by making a donation.

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