Dou Touloma

Project Summary

The Dou Touloma project, implemented by Socodevi, CECI, and UPA Développement international, aims to strengthen the socio-economic empowerment and well-being of women farmers in the regions of Koulikoro, Sikasso, and Ségou, Mali. It helps reduce barriers that limit women’s economic advancement in a context of climate change. The project supports women-led co-operatives and agricultural unions so they can adopt more inclusive governance and develop products and services that better meet their members’ needs.

Objectives

  • Promote socio-economic empowerment and improve the well-being of women farmers
  • Strengthen their capacities in accessing, using, and sustainably managing resources in a climate change context
  • Improve inclusive governance in agricultural cooperatives and adapt their services to women farmers’ specific needs and environmental challenges
  • Strengthen the capacities of regional associations and the National Federation of Rural Women (FENAFER) to promote women farmers’ empowerment and the realization of their social and economic rights

Results and impact

The Dou Touloma project clearly demonstrates that investing in rural women strengthens food security, social cohesion and climate resilience. Here are some key figures:

  • 5,048 women farmers trained in climate-smart agricultural practices and in a program focused on self-esteem, gender equality and gender-based violence (GBV)
  • 79% of decision-making positions held by women within co-operatives
  • 96 business projects financed for women’s co-operatives
  • 2,683 women made literate, exceeding the initial target
  • More than 6,700 men sensitized to shared responsibility, promoting a better division of tasks and greater support for women’s economic activities
  • 539 women trained in financial management

Testimonials

“Thanks to the discussion circles held in the Socodevi Farmer Field Schools and the training and awareness activities on GBV and shared responsibility, I changed my behavior toward my family members. I now increasingly involve my wives in decision-making, which has strengthened harmony and cohesion in my family and made us happier. I thank the Dou Touloma project!”

  • Sékou Diabaté
    Member of the Benkadi co-operative, Kendia-Dioila

“For my cereal and vegetable business, I can now record unpaid amounts, quantities sold, and remaining stock. Overall, I  know how to deal with my clients. This has improved my business and income. I encourage all women farmers to fully commit to learning to read and write, because education enlightens a person’s life.”

  • DIARRA Bassata
    Learner at the literacy centre and member of the Seyla Missirila-Dioila co-operative

“Today, learners can read and write their first and last names, phone numbers, and other text. Dou Touloma’s literacy initiative has allowed them to keep track of vaccination appointments for their children and prenatal visits because they can read the information in their health booklets.”

  • Rokiatou Traoré
    Facilitator at the Benkadi literacy centre, Zogofina-Ségou co-operative

“Dou Touloma’s literacy initiative has strengthened women farmers’ skills in Ségou in several areas: managing income-generating activities, managing their co-operatives, and agricultural production, through reading, writing, and arithmetic courses. Beyond these disciplines, Dou Touloma added training on gender-based violence, positive masculinity, and child weighing, which has deepened their understanding. This initiative has also reinforced the Malian government’s literacy campaign.”

  • Mahalmoudou MAIGA
    Educational Advisor at CAP Ségou

Partners

  • Consortium partner
    • Alliance agricole internationale (Socodevi, CECI et UPA Développement international)
  • Implementation partners
    • Fédération nationale des femmes rurales (FENAFER)
    • Association professionnelle des femmes rurales des régions d’interventions (ASPROFER)
    • National Directorate of Agriculture / Ministry of Agriculture

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