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Depuis 2020, le projet DÉFI Éducation des Filles au Mali, financé par Affaires mondiales Canada, et mis en œuvre par Alinea et ses partenaires canadiens et maliens , soutient les efforts du ministère de l’Éducation du Mali pour promouvoir l’éducation des filles. Le projet a récemment organisé une cérémonie de remise des prix aux lauréates du concours Miss Science 2022. Des représentant·e·s du ministère, des autorités locales et régionales, des éducateurs·rices et des centaines d’élèves y ont assisté. Ce concours annuel décerne des prix à de jeunes filles leaders dans le domaine scientifique.

Le chef du projet DÉFI, Nouhoum Sankaré a souligné l’importance d’encourager les filles à s’engager dans des domaines généralement dominés par les hommes au Mali.

« Orienter les filles vers les filières scientifiques et techniques contribueà l’égalité entre les genres », a expliqué Sankaré. « Cela favorise l’employabilité des femmes pour impulser plus de dynamisme dans la recherche et le développement. C’est un véritable enjeu au Mali, et nous sommes heureux de pouvoir apporter notre contribution ».

Le directeur de l’Académie pédagogique de Ségou, Itous Ag Ahmed Iknane, a précisé que la cérémonie revêtait également une importance pour les parents. « Ce n’est pas un simple rituel » a déclaré Ikane.

« Elle vise également à sensibiliser les parents à l’importance de l’éducation comme outil d’autonomisation des filles ».

L’équipe DÉFI a pour sa part annoncé que le projet distribuera 20 000 livres supplémentaires aux écolières maliennes dans les zones affectées par les conflits, en partenariat avec Bayard Afrique. Les livres abordent des thèmes tels que l’égalité des sexes et l’hygiène à travers des histoires captivantes.Le secrétaire général du ministère de l’Éducation, Kinane Ag Gadeda, a insisté sur l’importance du projet DÉFI pour améliorer les possibilités d’éducation des filles et favoriser leur intérêt pour la lecture.

La cérémonie s’est terminée par une visite à l’un des groupes de femmes qui, grâce au projet DÉFI, a reçu une formation et du matériel pour fabriquer des produits d’hygiène féminine réutilisables pour les écolières maliennes. Le projet a fourni des machines à coudre, des matériaux et a organisé des ateliers pour former les groupes à la création et à l’entretien de serviettes hygiéniques lavables. L’accès insuffisant aux produits d’hygiène menstruelle est une grave entrave à la scolarisation des filles au Mali, que cette activité permet de surmonter.

Cette approche multidimensionnelle est une caractéristique du projet DÉFI, qui cherche à améliorer à long terme l’accès à l’éducation, en particulier pour les filles dans les zones de conflit, en soutenant le gouvernement du Mali, à éliminer les obstacles et à promouvoir des attitudes positives envers l’éducation.

International Day of Education: Empowering girls in Mali through improved access to science programs

Since 2020 DÉFI project in Mali, funded by Global Affairs Canada, and implemented by Alinea and its Canadian and Malian partners, has supported the efforts of Mali’s Ministry of Education to promote girls’ education. The project recently organized an award ceremony for the winners of the Miss Science 2022 contest. The ceremony was attended by representatives of the ministry, local and regional authorities, educators and hundreds of students. The annual competition awards prizes to young girls who are leaders in science.

Head of the DÉFI project, Nouhoum Sankaré, highlighted the significance of encouraging girls to engage in fields typically dominated by men in Mali.

“Guiding girls towards scientific and technical courses contributes to gender equality, “explained Sankaré. ” It promotes the employability of women and stimulates dynamism in research and development. This is a real challenge in Mali, and we are happy to be able to make our contribution.”

The director of the Segou Pedagogical Academy, Itous Ag Ahmed Iknane, noted that the ceremony was also important for parents.

”It is not just a simple ritual, said Ikane. “It also aims to sensitize parents on the importance of education as a tool for empowering girls.”

The DÉFI team also announced that the project will distribute an additional 20,000 books to Malian schoolgirls in conflict-affected areas, in partnership with Bayard Afrique. The books tackle themes such as gender equality and hygiene through captivating stories. The Secretary General of the Ministry of Education, Kinane Ag Gadeda, stressed the importance of the DÉFI project in improving girls’ educational opportunities and fostering their interest in reading.

The ceremony ended with a visit to a women’s group who, thanks to the DÉFI project, have received support to make reusable feminine hygiene products for Malian schoolgirls. The project has provided sewing machines, and materials and has organized workshops to train the groups in creating and maintaining washable pads. Insufficient access to menstrual hygiene products is a serious obstacle to the education of girls in Mali, which this activity helps to overcome.

This multi-pronged approach is a hallmark of the DÉFI project, which seeks long-term improvements in access to education, especially for girls in conflict areas, by supporting the government of Mali, removing barriers and promoting positive attitudes towards education.

alinea’s whistleblower policy

1.1 Purpose

The following Whistleblower Policy has been established to provide guidance to Alinea International employees and sub-contractors on how to deal with known or suspected improper conduct within the organization. The objectives of this Policy are to:

Create awareness of the Policy and available whistleblower protections
Act as a reference guide to potential whistleblowers wishing to make a disclosure
Define the structure of the whistleblower system, including reporting and investigation procedures, whistleblower protections, and confidentiality, among others
Improve the communication and transparency in the processes associated with whistleblowing and assure protection against derogatory consequences, namely reprisals and detrimental action
Complement the current communication channels between employees, sub-contractors and immediate managers, and hierarchical channels flowing to the President and Senior Management team
Provide guidance to all parties involved in either whistleblowing or whistleblower protection.

1.2 Scope

Alinea requires all employees and sub-contractors to observe high standards of business and personal ethics in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities. All employees and sub-contractors of Alinea are required to comply with applicable laws and regulations of Canada and the countries where we operate. Any allegations of known or suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources will be dealt with in accordance with this Policy, and reasonable steps will be taken to protect those who come forward with allegations. Alinea’s Whistleblower Policy covers both internal and external whistleblowing, and establishes the controls and procedures for dealing with allegations of malpractice, fraud and violations of our code of ethics and/or laws or regulations that govern our operations. This Policy is intended to encourage employees and sub-contractors to report known or suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources and to enable Alinea’s Senior Management team to address and correct inappropriate action. It is the responsibility of all Board of Directors’ members, the Senior Management team, employees and sub-contractors to report concerns about known or suspected malpractice, fraud and violations of our code of ethics and/or laws or regulations that govern our operations. This Policy is applicable to all employees and sub-contractors of Alinea International.

1.3 Reporting Procedures

Alinea recognizes the value of transparency and accountability in its administrative and management practices and supports the making of disclosures that reveal improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources. Our internal controls and operating procedures are intended to detect and prevent malpractice, fraud and violations of our code of ethics and/or laws or regulations that govern our operations. As detailed in Alinea’s Employee Policy and Onboarding manuals, employees and sub-contractors are encouraged to share complaints and/or concerns regarding ethical or legal violations with their immediate managers. If the employee or sub-contractor is not comfortable speaking with their immediate manager or is not satisfied with the response, they are encouraged to speak with the Gatineau or Calgary Office Managers, the Vice Presidents or, as required, the Chief Financial Officer. All members of the Senior Management team are required to report complaints and/or concerns about suspected ethical or legal violations in writing to Alinea’s Ethics Committee who has the responsibility to investigate all reported complaints and/or concerns. In the event that the complaint and/or concern is about the President, it should be raised by the employee or sub-contractor to their immediate manager or the Ethics Committee who will determine how the investigation will proceed. All reports will be promptly investigated and appropriate corrective measures will be taken if warranted by the investigation. Alinea’s Ethics Committee is responsible for acknowledging receipt of the suspected violation and notifying the whistleblower of the outcome of the investigation. Anyone filing a written complaint concerning suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources must be acting in good faith and have reasonable grounds for believing the information disclosed indicates a violation. Personal grievances or complaints related to employment are not covered under Alinea’s Whistleblowing Policy. For cases such as this, employees and sub-contractors are advised to first refer to Alineas Employee Policy and Onboarding manuals when considering a disclosure under the Whistleblowing Policy. Any allegations that prove not to be substantiated and which prove to have been made maliciously or knowingly to be false will be viewed as a serious disciplinary offense.

1.4 Confidentiality

Maintaining confidentiality is crucial to ensure reprisals are not made against the whistleblower. Alinea is committed to safeguarding the identity of the whistleblower and to protecting the whistleblower against detrimental action taken in reprisal for allegations of suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources. The Ethics Committee is responsible for ensuring whistleblowers are protected from direct and indirect detrimental action, and that the culture of the workplace is supportive of suspected allegations being made. Any employee who retaliates against someone who has reported a violation in good faith is subject to discipline up to and including termination of employment.

1.5 Review

Alinea is committed to implementing ‘best practice’ policies and procedures for dealing with allegations of suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources (as defined by this Policy) and the management and protection of whistleblowers making allegation(s). This Policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure it meets the objectives of relevant legislation and remains effective for Alinea, and may be changed at the discretion of the Board of Directors at any time. For allegations of fraud, securities law, or human rights concerns, or when you are not satisfied or uncomfortable with following the Company’s open door policy, individuals should contact the Company’s Ethics Committee directly.

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Journée internationale de l’éducation : Autonomiser les filles au Mali grâce à un meilleur accès aux programmes scientifiques