UNICEF has continuously been in Mali since 1960, supporting the Government and civil society’s efforts to improve the lives of children. They are mandated by the UN General Assembly to advocate for the promotion and protection of children’s rights, to help meet the basic needs of children and to expand opportunities for children to reach their full potential.

UNICEF in Mali works both upstream, providing policy support and technical assistance to the Government of Mali in its efforts to create an enabling environment for child rights; and downstream to support programmes and interventions to strengthen social services for the most vulnerable children.UNICEF in Mali works with partners towards the following five goals:

-Every child survives and thrives: ensuring that all children and adolescents have good health, wellbeing and reach their full potential;

-Every child learns: providing early, quality and inclusive education for every girl and every boy in Mali, so that they can reach their full potential;

-Every child is protected from violence and exploitation: improving policies and services that protect children and making Mali a safe place for all children;

-Every child lives in a safe and clean environment: protecting every child from exploitation, violence and abuse and providing access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene;

-Every child has an equitable chance in life: promoting investment in children through effective policies and inclusive social protection programmes.

These goals span the complete life cycle of the child from before birth, through infancy, childhood and into adolescence.